More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Aldi bosses are “extremely concerned” about plans to allow customers of a proposed terrace of shops to use the supermarket’s car park.
Applicants HDD Limited want permission to build a parade of retail units at the Perry Court development next to the German chain’s new store in Faversham, the under-construction Premier Inn hotel and 66-bed care home.
They propose having shoppers and delivery drivers use Aldi’s car park after the supermarket closes its doors each night.
Developers say the commercial terrace, for which occupiers are yet to be nailed down, will either be split into two or three units - offering retail space or becoming food and drink outlets.
Seventeen jobs are forecast to be created as a result of the proposed addition to the site on the newly-formed Tettenhall Way.
Aldi shuts at 10pm six days a week and at 4pm on Sundays. But HDD wants the proposed shops to be operational until 11pm each day.
Swale Borough Council, which is to determine the application, had recommended to its planning committee that the scheme be approved subject to a number of conditions.
These included formulating a parking and delivery management strategy, drafting up a lighting plan, and devising surveillance proposals.
But supermarket giant Aldi has lodged objections, stressing that “consent is not implementable” as it runs the car park and security of site.
An agent acting on the chain’s behalf states: “Aldi has a number of concerns regarding the conditions as they require the applicant to undertake actions that are not within their gift.
“In this context, Aldi is extremely concerned that as the conditions will be unenforceable that the necessary mitigation will not be provided to offset the significant impacts arising from the development.
“The car park will be lit to meet Aldi’s requirements. Out of opening hours Aldi reduce lighting levels within the car park around the store in order to reduce energy consumption and also to reduce any impact on nearby residents or ecology.”
In response the supermarket’s concerns, an agent for the applicants says lighting from the retail terrace will provide adequate illumination for security and public safety, should Aldi reduce lighting in the car park after 10pm.
They also say they have a “legal right” to use Aldi’s car park, and have an agreement with the chain to do so.
They stress the retail parade “will provide a range of service and facilities to the local population”.
A decision on the application was due in November but it is yet to be made.
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