Court blocks Aldi plans after legal row with Lidl

Planning permission for an Aldi store had been granted for Spilsby Road in Horncastle

Plannning permission for a new Aldi store has been reversed by the High Court after a two-year legal battle with Lidl.

The two supermarket companies submitted rival planning applications to build new stores on a plot of land on Spilsby Road in Horncastle.

Despite assurances to Lidl that both applications would be heard together by East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) planners, Aldi was granted permission in November 2022.

A High Court judge ruled the council failed to consider Lidl's plans when granting the permission to Aldi and has reversed it.

An ELDC spokesperson said: “The council recognises the High Court’s decision on this case, and will not be appealing the result."

Both supermarkets will now have their plans reviewed in full before any future decision is made, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

ELDC said both parties would now have to resubmit applications, but a timescale had not yet been set for the process.

Both stores 'committed'

A spokesperson for Lidl said: "We are fully committed to bringing a new store to Horncastle and are therefore pleased with the court decision.

"This means our application will now be considered by the planning committee, ensuring that both applications are determined equally. We look forward to hearing the next steps laid out by the council."

A spokesperson for Aldi said: "We are disappointed by this decision. Our public consultation showed that the people of Horncastle really want an Aldi store and we have a deliverable scheme ready to go that is now being stalled unnecessarily.

"We remain committed to investing in the local community and will continue to work to bring unbeatable value and award-winning quality to Horncastle as soon as we can."

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