Epsom Aldi store rejected for second time

Aldi's previous application for the site, which included flats above the store, was also rejected

Plans for an Aldi store have been rejected again over fears that increased traffic would have a severe impact on road safety.

Epsom and Ewell councillors refused the application for the vacant former Dairy Crest site in Alexandra Road for a second time during a meeting on Wednesday, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A previous plan was thrown out in 2015 following concerns about the site’s location, along with car parking and traffic issues, and the effect on the character of the neighbourhood.

Aldi has been contacted for comment by the BBC.

The new application for the £5m development in Epsom included car parking and some landscaping but plans for residential units had been scrapped.

Councillor Jan Mason said the supermarket giant should “do far better” on the design of the building if it “wants to come to a lovely area such as Epsom”.

Aldi said it had “refined” its proposals, carefully designing an “attractive, bespoke Aldi food store” which would “respect the surrounding area”, but councillors were still concerned about its location.

'Unaceptable location'

Despite Surrey Highways advising the development “would be unlikely to result in a severe impact” on local traffic, councillors remained sceptical.

“The one thing you can’t put in a spreadsheet is common sense,” councillor Chris Watson said.

He argued that regardless of “clever” data from the county council, “common sense” said it was a busy junction which could result in queuing traffic.

Around 91 letters were sent opposing the scheme, arguing it was an "unacceptable location" for a food store.

Concerns were raised that traffic problems would be exacerbated, a pedestrian crossing would be dangerous and the brownfield site should be saved for affordable housing.

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