Lidl plan approved in Erdington

Erdington Lidl approved despite school's objections

Josh Horritt - Local Democracy Reporter | Friday 29th April 2022 11:55am

A new Lidl in Erdington will be built despite a school governor claiming it would “compromise the safety of over 2,000 children.”

Existing buildings on land to the East of Sutton Road will be demolished to make way for the new supermarket.

A council officer said: “The proposal will improve customer choice and enhance the shopping experience in Erdington” as well as have “a positive economic impact as a result of new employment.”

Seven letters of objection to the plans have been received including one from a local school citing traffic and safety concerns.

Louise Flowith, chair of governors at Highclare School in Erdington said: “Profit driven retail is looking to squeeze in more development to make more money but what is being sacrificed is safety which cannot be acceptable.

“We don’t object to a supermarket here. Indeed, we welcome it. But you will understand that our absolute duty has to be the safety of the children in our care and Lidl have left us no choice but to object.

“Lidl did not consult us to understand how our traffic system works but are happy to interfere with the school's sensitive traffic management plan for exiting the campus, which will potentially impact our business through queueing traffic.

“I respectfully urge you not to approve the current application which will compromise safety for all and in particular the safety of over 2,000 children we must protect, and who surely deserve better.”

Jim Budd, a consultant for the project took issue with the concerns stating: “There is no material risk at all to highway safety as a result of this arrangement.

“The audit team have been present during the morning school drop off period and the afternoon … no issues were reported. Yes, there will be occasions during weekday term time only, when cars will emerge from Lidl at the same time as cars emerge from Highclare School.

“Turning traffic has excellent visibility of each other, of pedestrians and of food traffic and there is more than sufficient stopping sight distance for the pedestrian crossing, given the low speed at which traffic will emerge onto Sutton Road.”

The site will include 121 car parking spaces as well as the provision of electric vehicle charging spaces, and additional tree planting and landscaping around the site.

Opening hours of 8am- 10pm Monday to Saturdays are proposed, as well as 10am – 6pm on Sundays in accordance with Sunday trading laws.

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