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Lidl has defended contentious plans to build another supermarket in Kent as councillors approved a major scheme in Aylesford last night.
The 1,674sqm retail outlet will be created on the former Kia garage site at the junction of Bradbourne Lane and A20 London Road, Ditton and is expected to create up to 40 new jobs.
Supermarket rivals Tesco, Morrisons and Asda opposed the move and more than 600 people objected to the proposal in a signed petition to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council ahead of a crunch planning meeting yesterday.
Oliver McGuiness, who is an agent for Lidl, described the proposal as "robust" and "defensible" during the virtual public meeting as 13 of the 14 committee members voted in favour.
Angered Ditton residents slammed the proposal before the final decision was reached last night. They feared further potential traffic on the A20 and that other nearby shops could be forced out of business.
Dawn Taylor, of Bradbourne Lane, said last night: “Why, oh why is it necessary to have another food store in this area?"
Morrisons supermarket is located less than half a mile away at the junction of New Hythe Lane while a Tesco outlet is located in Leybourne Way, Larkfield, which is just over one mile from the site. An Aldi and Sainburys is also nearby.
"It has not escaped me that traffic issues will be at the forefront of your mind..."
Mrs Taylor said: "How many areas have this many food stores within a few miles of each other?
"Maidstone would have a job to compete. We do not require another one.”
Concerns were raised by several councillors over parking and congestion issues in the area while one London Road resident, Neil Berriman, said he believed the 75 parking spaces provided at the site was "insufficient".
Ditton councillor David Cooper (Con) said: “We are all aware of A20 London Road suffering from unacceptable levels of congestion during busy periods."
During yesterday's meeting, he added: “I feel the sighting of a supermarket on this site will take us back to square one and temporary hold ups, inevitable when delivery trucks arrive, will do nothing to improve the situation."
However, the scheme has received more than 185 letters of support as the company pledges to build a new pedestrian crossing on London Road and an improved footpath on Bradbourne Lane to ensure safe access for shoppers.
In addition, the local highways authority, KCC, have raised no objections.
Mr McGuiness defended the proposal, saying: “It has not escaped me that traffic issues will be at the forefront of your mind."
"This proposal will not create a large number of new trips onto the network as our proposed customers will already be on the network in some shape or form with daily travel patterns of existing shopping habits.”
Staff parking remains a key issue to be addressed as workers have not been allocated any of the 75 spaces on the site. Discussions with residents are set to take place.
"How many areas have this many food stores within a few miles of each other?"
Cllr David Lettington (Con), the cabinet member for planning on Tonbridge council, said he was "incredibly irritated" to hear that off-site parking arrangements had not been sorted out, saying it was "unfair" on residents.
The Lidl scheme will go ahead, although the construction start date has yet to be revealed. The new store is expected to open to the public seven days a week varying from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays.
