Controversial plans to build a Lidl in Herne Bay have been narrowly approved by councillors.

The budget chain submitted fresh drawings for a 2,125 sq m supermarket with 125 parking spaces on land neighbouring the Old Thanet Way in November, having had an initial bid rejected last year.

But at tonight's planning committee meeting the proposals were voted through by six votes to five.

Documents show the supermarket's car park will be constructed on land designated protected open space in the Local Plan.

Wincheap councillor Nick Eden-Green argued that it should have been refused for that reason.

“We have a Local Plan for a purpose,” he said.

“If this were to be granted it would open the door to more developments along that corridor between Herne Bay and Whitstable.

“It would be very difficult indeed to resist the next application, which might be for a tyre depot or a takeaway restaurant, and that will be the end of that green corridor.”

Proposals for the new store show it would be built on land closer to the Greenhill roundabout than in its first application.

That initial bid was rejected by councillors last year on the grounds it would have been constructed on protected open space.

But, speaking in favour of the scheme, Cllr Ashley Clark said: “There is nothing green about this land and there is nothing open about it at all.

"It’s ugly and covered in concrete, sheds and vehicles. This development will remove that eyesore.

“The population of Greenhill is 4,000 people and they’re having to travel some two-and-a-half miles in each direction to the Sainsbury’s in Altira Business Park.”

The bid to build the store received a groundswell of support from residents.

The local authority was sent 360 letters of support for the new application from those living close to the site, and just 20 objecting to it.

In addition, Lidl says it received more than 4,100 responses to its own public consultation, with almost 84% of them backing the scheme.

"That would be the end of that green corridor along the Old Thanet Way...” Cllr Nick Eden-Green

Despite this, planning officers recommended councillors refuse the plans.

In a report that was presented at tonight's meeting, they stated: "The applicant argues there is a need for the development as there is a shortfall in the area arising from the reduced convenience floorspace being offered at the Sainsbury’s at Altira Business Park.

“The applicant’s argument that there is a quantitative need for the development is demonstrably wrong.

“Sainsbury’s decision to offer a reduced convenience provision could reasonably be viewed as further evidence of a lack of need in the area.”

In April, councillors voted to delay a decision on the plans in order to give Lidl time to submit further information to the local authority and a draft Section 106 agreement.

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