CONCERNS about the impact of a discount supermarket on the outskirts of Barnard Castle were voiced at a consultation event held in the town last week.
Potential traffic problems, the effect of the development on nearby residents and the lack of suitable footpaths were among the issues raised when plans for the new Lidl store went on view at Woodleigh, on Scar Top.
Dozens of people went along to the event, hosted by officials from Durham County Council.
The proposal, for a 20,882sq ft supermarket plus a 15,000sq ft Home Bargains store, is earmarked for the former Addison auction house site on the A688.
In addition to the two retail outlets, there would be parking for 144 vehicles, including nine disabled bays and 12 parent/child spaces.
Access to the stores from the main road would be opposite the junction of the A688 with The TCR Hub turn-off. One resident expressed concern that with no dedicated right turn into the development from the A688, traffic could back up towards Teesdale School and the
Co-op garage roundabout especially at busy times of the day such as Glaxo shift changes.
The development site also backs on to High Riggs.
One householder on the estate said: “I am just one person, but this is a disaster.
“It’s the car park, it’s the pollution and it’s too near the gardens – it’s very close.
“I am concerned about slippage, drainage and subsidence. The lorries are going to come right to the back.
“I have written a letter commenting on the plans but keep thinking of things to add.”
Another High Riggs residents queried why no plans for retail development had been included in the huge housing estates currently under construction in Startforth.
“They have no shops, doctors or anything.”
Former town and district councillor John Watson said that despite the developer Consolidated Property Group keen to present the scheme “as a deal” he was confident the county planning team would carry out a vigorous investigation into all aspects of the proposal before making a recommendation.
“This includes an impact assessment of the scheme on the town and a traffic impact assessment,” he said.
Barnard Castle Town Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, March 4, to formulate its response to the proposals. Developers CPG says it hopes the plans will get the green light before the end of June, allowing for construction to start towards the end of the year. If this is the case, the firm says the stores would open in late 2020 or early 2021.
It is estimated about 40 jobs would be created at the Lidl store. Anyone wishing to comment on the proposal can do so online via Durham County Council’s planning portal.
Go to www.durham.gov.uk and follow the planning link. The Lidl scheme reference is DM/19/00260/OUT.
