Plans for New Lidl at Huddersfield “Eyesore” Get Go-Ahead
Kirklees Council approves Lidl’s new store at Crosland Moor, transforming a vacant site.
Huddersfield, Crosland Moor, Lidl, St Luke’s Hospital, Kirklees Council
Huddersfield: A new Lidl is coming to Crosland Moor. The plans to revamp an old “eyesore” site have been approved. This site used to be St Luke’s Hospital, which was torn down a few years ago.
The Kirklees Council’s Strategic Planning Committee made the decision. The new store will be built on Blackmoorfoot Road. Most of the area has been turned into homes, but this part will now host a supermarket.
The Lidl store will open from 8 am to 10 pm, Monday to Saturday. Sunday hours are not yet set. It will have 93 parking spaces, EV charging points, and solar panels. Access will be via a new T-junction from Turnstone Way.
There were mixed feelings from the public about this plan. Many objections were raised, which is why the committee reviewed the application. Lidl gathered 968 responses, with 85.6% in favor and 10.2% against.
A petition with 160 signatures opposing the store was also submitted. Tesco, a competitor, also objected to the plans. Despite this, Lidl’s Senior Acquisitions Manager, Jack Charlton, highlighted the benefits of the new store.
He mentioned it would create up to 40 full-time jobs and improve food shopping options for locals. Some committee members shared similar views, noting the need for a larger, cost-effective store.
Cllr Ali Arshad pointed out that local convenience stores wouldn’t be heavily impacted. Cllr Andrew Pinnock agreed, stating the store would serve new housing developments nearby.
Councillor Bill Armer supported retail competition, believing it would lower prices. He was also pleased to see the old site being redeveloped. In the end, the committee voted unanimously in favor of the plans.
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