A pair of East Wight councils are opposing a proposal for a new Aldi store on the Isle of Wight.
Ryde Town Council and Nettlestone and Seaview Parish Council have objected to plans for a discount supermarket at Cothey Way in Ryde.
Aldi submitted a planning application after engaging in a consultation with residents.
The retail giant previously said 93% of 853 participating locals backed its new branch which is planned to be built on the land of the former Neutrik building at Westridge Business Park.
A Planning Statement prepared by Zesta Planning on behalf of Aldi said application 25/01012/FUL would ‘facilitate economic growth’ within the Ryde Key Regeneration Area and create ‘40 much-needed new jobs’.
“The new foodstore building would respect the surrounding area in terms of size, scale and design.
“Furthermore, the development would be acceptable in respect of transport matters and highways safety, arboriculture, drainage, environmental and amenity considerations and ecology.”
A spokesperson for Ryde Town Council said that whilst the authority welcomed the proposal, giving residents greater choice and providing a cost-effective option for those on low incomes, it cannot endorse the application in its present form.
They said:
“Island Roads had originally raised several concerns which led them to conclude that they objected to the application owing to a lack of information regarding the impact of the proposed development on the Brading Road/Great Preston Road junction.
“These concerns have been allayed by further information supplied by the developer. It is Ryde Town Council’s view that this further information does not cover all concerns regarding access and safety in the immediate area around this proposed development.”
The spokesperson added that there is currently an issue with accessing the Brading Road McDonalds by car at ‘certain times of day’ and further concern around pedestrians crossing Brading Road.
Nettlestone and Seaview Parish Council’s submission to planners described the proposed development as inappropriate, inadequately evidenced and insufficiently mitigated.
“The unresolved highways risks, the unacceptable likely burden on nearby residential communities, the environmental impacts, and the absence of a strategic infrastructure plan collectively make clear that the proposal is neither safe nor suitable for this location.
“The proposal continues to raise concerns about increased light pollution, noise, and general disturbance to nearby residents.
“These impacts would be harmful to residential amenity and are contrary to the intent and policies of the parish council’s emerging neighbourhood plan, which seeks to protect residents from intrusive or inappropriate development within proximity to homes.”
County Hall’s public consultation on the plans finishes on 5th December and an agreed extended decision date is scheduled for 12th December.
It is a disaster waiting to happen, unless the
clueless council do something about the traffic
going into McDonald’s.
It’s always tailed back causing traffic congestion,
it’s been a pain in the arse for years.
Good luck with trying to stop a billion pound company.
I thought the council were supposed to represent their constituents. We don’t want Aldi, we need Aldi. Have these council muppets forgotten about the cost of living crisis. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to afford the likes of Tesco and Co-op.
Great a bloody grip and give us Aldi
Shame they didnt show the same concern when McDonalds was built, traffic build up outside there is more than dangerous at times
That is because Road safety and Health and safety
does not exist on the island.
The Authorities couldn’t undo a packet of crisps between them.
I am hoping devolution delivers some brains and rules to this
lawless island.
This is great news ,we need more super markets and more housing for this little island ,we don’t need tourists or hospitals to support us
They shouldn’t worry .It will keep the poor out of Waitrose .Much nicer for the rich .
Seems like a good idea. Some people need aldi to make vendors meet.
Long queues show demand and slowing traffic is not a bad thing.