Aldi supermarket approved despite Lidl concerns

A bus depot which stood on the site has been demolished

Plans for an Aldi supermarket on the site of a former bus depot have been approved, despite an objection from rival retailer Lidl.

Sunderland City Council backed the application for a site off Philadelphia Lane, north of Houghton-le-Spring.

About 40 jobs are expected to be created.

One of two objections came from fellow discount chain Lidl, raising technical concerns about the application, as well as the shop's potential impact on Houghton-le-Spring town centre.

There were 12 comments in favour of the plan during a public consultation.

Supporters said it would create jobs and benefit residents of new-build houses in the area by reducing the need to drive to similar shops further away.

However, a statement on behalf of Lidl said an "out-of-centre retail unit may further deter people away from visiting and shopping in the town centre" and could have "a significant adverse impact on [its] vitality".

In a report prepared ahead of the decision-making meeting this week, council planners had recommended Aldi's plans for approval.

It was noted the plans were "in accordance with both local and national retail planning policy" and would "not appear to lead to a material loss of daylight or privacy for the occupiers of nearby land and buildings".

Councillors heard Aldi hoped to open the supermarket next year and would recruit the shop manager and staff from the local area.

A total of 100 car parking spaces are proposed, including five accessible bays and nine parent and child bays, as well as four electric vehicle charging points and cycle parking, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.