LIDL GB, which has submitted a planning application for a new store on Commercial Road in Crediton (planning application 21/00222/MFUL), is seeking the public’s feedback on the proposal.

As part of the application, Lidl has proposed to locate the new store on one of the pitches on The Rec.

The land is owned by Queen Elizabeth Education Foundation and is currently leased by Crediton Rugby Club.

Working closely with the rugby club and the Education Foundation, Lidl has proposed a contribution of £400,000 to the Rugby Club.

This can be used for purchasing new land or upgrading the club’s existing main pitch to a Premiership standard.

The club has expressed that it would like to purchase land situated at Pedlarspool, which is allocated for the club’s relocation in the Mid Devon Local Plan.

However, it is believed that the Rugby Club would be unable to do this without the financial contribution from Lidl.

The remainder of the Rugby Club’s site is allocated for development, and the Rugby Club’s relocation would facilitate the development of new homes for Crediton if the store plan was approved.

The new supermarket forms part of the company’s £1.3bn investment plans across Great Britain in 2021 and 2022.

It will feature a sales area of 1,256m², an instore bakery, customer toilets as well as 114 car parking spaces and 10 bicycle spaces.

40 JOBS

Once opened, it will create up to 40 new jobs for the local economy.

Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, Matthias Daly, commented: “We are delighted to announce that we have submitted a planning application with Mid Devon District Council.

“If granted this would mark a multi-million-pound investment in the area, with an additional £400,000 to enable Crediton Rugby Club to improve their playing facilities and help to unlock Mid Devon’s housing allocation.”

HOW TO COMMENT

The public is invited to comment on the proposals via a leaflet which will be posted directly to local residents and can be returned using the provided pre-paid envelopes.

Residents with questions about the proposals can also get in touch with Lidl’s regional property office or leave their feedback at: www.crediton.lidl.co.uk .

Mr Daly continued: “Our plans are set to create around 40 new positions which would be fantastic for the local community, and we hope that as many people as possible are able to join us for this ’virtual’ public consultation.

“We look forward to sharing and discussing our plans with everyone.”

The public is currently able to comment on the planning application with the planning authority, Mid Devon District Council.

View the application and comment via the website: www.middevon.gov.uk .

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PRESENTATION

Crediton Town Council received a presentation about the plan by Lidl representatives at a meeting of its Strategy Committee on March 2.

Representations were made by members of the public who attended the meeting and expressed a range of concerns.

The councillors agreed to discuss the plan at a future meeting and will then decide to make comments on behalf of the council.

Lidl’s ongoing success shows no signs of slowing, with the latest Kantar Worldpanel results highlighting Lidl’s increase in sales year on year and market share of 5.7 per cent.

Since establishing itself in Great Britain in 1994, Lidl has experienced continuous growth and today has more than 25,000 employees, over 800 stores and 13 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

As part of the Schwarz retail group, Lidl is one of Europe’s leading organisations in the food retail industry.

With a presence in 32 countries around the world, the supermarket, which has more than 310,000 employees globally, currently operates approximately 11,200 stores and more than 200 warehouses and distribution centres in 29 countries globally.

The family supermarket says it takes pride in providing its customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices throughout Great Britain, from Kirkwall to the Isle of Wight.