Plans for Lidl and homes on old abattoir approved

An artist's impression of the proposed new Lidl in Parkfield Road, Wolverhampton

A plan to build a supermarket and homes on the site of an old abattoir has been approved.

City of Wolverhampton Council has given permission to supermarket chain Lidl to build a new store and 17 new homes on the site of the former Gills sausage factory and abattoir.

The local authority approved plans to demolish the former meat wholesaler's factory on the edge of Birmingham New Road and Parkfield Road in September.

The demolition will make way for the supermarket, which will bring 40 new jobs, and a 110-space car park. Plans for a mix of up to 17 one-to-four-bed homes were also included in the planning application submitted by Lidl.

A report by the council's planners approving the application said: "The proposal represents a welcome investment in the city.

"There will not be an impact on the character of the area, neighbours' amenities or highway safety that would have justified a reason for refusing the application."

The site was previously occupied by FA Gills as an abattoir and sausage factory, but the business was sold in 2023 and operations ceased.

According to the planning application, the site extends to 1.28 hectares, with a total floorspace of 2,185 square metres for the supermarket and a net sales floor area of 1,516 square metres.

There will also be parking space for 110 cars, including six accessible spaces, nine parent and child spaces, and two electric vehicle charging points, together with 12 cycle spaces.

The application said: "The development will bring a vacant parcel of brownfield land into active use, remediate the site, provide local job opportunities, affordable housing, and bring inward investment to the area.

"The provision of up to 17 dwellings will provide affordable and family housing in a residential area and sustainable location."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.