A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a major new discount food store and adjoining drive-through restaurant is to come before Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee on Thursday.
The scheme was considered by the committee back in February when, despite officers recommending it be thrown out, councillors decided to defer a decision to allow the applicants to amend their proposals.
Five members of the committee voted to defer the decision and three for the scheme to be refused.
Now the plans, submitted by Lidl and KFC, will be considered again – and this time officers are recommending they be approved.
The development is planned for the junction of Thewlis Street and Old Liverpool Road.
The original plan was opposed on road safety and access grounds and there was also concern that the new store would compete directly with a Co-op store which anchors the Lovely Lane neighbourhood centre.
There were also concerns about the loss of a large number of trees and shrubs which would impact on the street scene.
Lidl say they would create 20-30 nes jobs and KFC would employ 38 full-time and 15 part-time staff.
Lidl would be open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. KFC would be open from 7am to 11.30pm daily.
Earlier plans for a retail store on the site, submitted in 1993, were refused on various grounds, including likely impact on the Lovely Lane neighbourhood centre and on the vitality of the town centre.
Picture: The wooded site, viewed from Sankey Way.
