Plans to demolish site for new Lidl store approved

The former Homebase in East Grinstead is set to be replaced with a branch of Lidl

Plans to demolish a former Homebase in West Sussex and replace it with a branch of Lidl have been approved.

An application for the site in London Road, East Grinstead, was given the go ahead by Mid Sussex District Council’s planning committee.

It is expected to open in November 2025 and create 40 jobs.

However, the council has received 10 letters objecting to the plans.

The main concerns raised included increased traffic and congestion and whether another food store was needed in the area.

With only one access to and from the site, councillor Rex Whittaker warned that traffic could soon queue up, adding to congestion.

But no objections were received from West Sussex Highways and the plans were approved unanimously.

In January 2021, Lidl was given permission to move into the Homebase site. But as that permission is valid until January 2026, the supermarket chain has chosen instead to demolish it and build a smaller, “greener” building.

It is expected to create five full-time and 35 part-time jobs, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.