New Lidl store plans opposed by Tesco

Plans for the new store have been submitted to Uttlesford District Council

Plans for a new Lidl supermarket were opposed by rivals Tesco.

Tesco, which has a store close to the proposed site, claimed the supermarket would negatively impact the town centre of Great Dunmow, in Essex, due to its size.

But if approved, the new store would be built off Stortford Road, to the east of the Dunmow West Interchange Roundabout, and create 40 full-time equivalent jobs.

Council officers have backed the proposal and Uttlesford District Council's planning committee will discuss it on 21 August.

The council report stated that Martin Robeson Planning Practice, on behalf of Tesco, objected to the plans earlier this year.

The company said the proposed floorspace was double the local threshold for an out-of-centre location and would have a negative impact on the trading of Great Dunmow town centre - which is contrary to paragraph 95 in the national planning policy framework.

Concerns were also raised by other parties about the supermarket's impact on designated heritage assets.

They included the gatehouse to Easton Lodge, Highwood Farmhouse and the Barn at Highwood Farm.

'Outweigh the harm'

However, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a conservation officer said in the report that the proposed new store "would cause less than substantial harm to the setting and significance of three of the designated heritage assets".

The report added that "the benefits of the proposed development, including the redevelopment of an existing employment site, increased shopping choice to meet the needs of local residents, creation of new jobs for local people, an enhancement to landscaping along Stortford Road and provision of enhancements to bus stop infrastructure, outweigh the harm".

It also said that the development complied with the national planning policy framework.

The site is currently used by a fencing supplies business, which is relocating.