Plans for a new Aldi store in West Cumbria are likely to be delayed for a second time while traffic concerns continue to be examined.
Aldi initially lodged a planning application with Cumberland Council earlier this year. The company is aiming to obtain permission to build a new supermarket on the site of the former East Road Garage in Egremont, next to the A595.
Several consultee organisations have since responded to the plans – with both National Highways and the Environment Agency lodging objections and requests for further examination before permission is granted.
National Highways is recommending that planning permission for the new store should now not be approved until June 20 – to allow the organisation time to provide Aldi with further details regarding the impact of the store on the A595 and to ensure the continued safe operation of the road.
Cumberland Council’s highways team also flagged several areas for further examination – including car parking provision, bike provision and pedestrian access from the A595 underpass.
Highways additionally said that Aldi’s initial transport assessment has not been modelled around the ‘very heavy’ traffic that the roundabout currently experiences at peak times during the day.
It added that the roundabout and its links can be at or near capacity at certain times during the day and that the current transport assessment has only accounted for an uplifted 2024 scenario that would work with minimal queueing.
The Environment Agency has also raised concerns regarding a risk of controlled waters becoming contaminated during construction.
It said that the previous use of the site as a fuel filling station and garage was the root cause of the potential contamination risk and that Aldi would need to provide information to show that the risk has been fully understood and can be addressed through appropriate measures.
If planning permission is granted by Cumberland Council, who will make the final decision on the application – the new Aldi will be a £6 million investment into the area and will provide a total of 40 full-time and part-time jobs.
Egremont Town Council has also responded to the plans and said it was in overall support of the new business and that it would be an asset to the town.
The council added that it would additionally expect Aldi to adopt the underpass and keep it clean, safe and well lit.
