Downham Market Town Council reject Lidl supermarket proposal
Downham Town Council has objected to the building of new Lidl supermarket on Bexwell Road.
Town councillors gathered on Wednesday to discuss the erection of the food store opposite McDonald’s, which is due to open in the autumn.
They voted 13-1 against the application.
Councillors voting against the store showed concerns for road safety, traffic and impacts on shops in the town centre.
Downham’s Mayor Charlie Pyatt said it was the “worst road plan” he’d ever seen and it would cause some “very dangerous situations”.
Cllr John Doyle was the only member of the council who voted for the store opening on the Bexwell site. He said: “We should do what the town wants,” saying many residents want the supermarket.
However, Cllr Frank Daymond said that Bexwell roundabout isn’t the best location for the supermarket and would be better suited being placed closer to the town centre.
It’s been reported that the land where the supermarket is proposed to be is actually supposed to be used for housing. There has been a lot of controversy about the location of Lidl and that already around 856 vehicles travel on the Bexwell Roundabout every day.
The issue of traffic around Downham was also discussed. Deputy Mayor Cllr Doug Lawson said: “It’ll create lots of traffic and will be a risk to life and limb, its not worth voting on.”
Some councillors found it harder to come to a decision about the supermarket being built, Cllr Anna Incorvaia said: “Will we go on to regret it?”
Lidl would be built within a 50 metre radius of McDonald’s.
The council also said that nearby housing would be affected negatively with the proposed location of the supermarket, with extra noise and air pollution being an issue.
Councillors also said the area Lidl is proposed to be in isn’t accessible for people who do not drive and that bus services in and around Downham are “limited and basically non existent”.
Lidl would be the third supermarket in Downham.
The plan outlines the size of the store and also includes a 136 space car park and additional landscaping.
Cllr Barrie Wiles spoke about the potential impact Lidl could have on the town’s centre.
He said: “The market is just beginning to recover after Covid-19, the store will harm the market and cause significant harm to the town centre, and shops that kept us going during Covid will suffer.”
The town council’s vote against Lidl will be taken into account by West Norfolk Council who will make a final decision on whether the store will be built at the proposed location on Bexwell Road.
