Supermarket and burger chain planned at ex-waste site

A public consultation is running until 16 April

A supermarket and drive-through restaurant could be built at a former household waste site.

West Suffolk Council announced that German supermarket chain Aldi and American fast food outlet Wendy's have signed agreements to rent buildings which the authority is looking to build on the site.

The Rougham Hill recycling centre, at Bury St Edmunds, was replaced by a new site in 2020 and was briefly used as a Covid-19 testing site during the coronavirus pandemic.

Diane Hind, cabinet member for resources at the council said: "It will create employment for our local communities both through opportunities at the two businesses, and through the construction phase."

The buildings will need planning permission and the authority said it would evaluate the final costs but was looking to complete construction "over the next few years."

The site is opposite a new build housing development where 900 homes could be built.

A planning application is due to be submitted later this year

If all went to plan, Aldi would be the second supermarket from the same brand in Bury St Edmunds, whilst the Wendy's would be the only franchise in Suffolk.

Carl Morris, managing director of Blank Table Ltd, who are the franchisee for Wendy's for the East of England, said: "Opening our first drive-through restaurant in the region represents a significant step in our commitment to expanding Wendy's footprint across the UK".

Hind said renting out land to commercial businesses was important to boost council finances, with less than 20% of the authority's spend being covered by council tax income.

"Much of the rest of our income comes from fees and charges and capital investments such as this," she added.

"We can invest to achieve the regeneration of strategic sites, supporting the sustainable growth of our economy while also creating additional annual income to help fund public services and keep council tax as low as we possibly can."

A public consultation on the plans has been launched and runs until 16 April.