Supermarket approval opens door for manufacturing expansion
Published: Tuesday, 27 March, 2018
Stroud District Council has given the go-ahead for a new discount supermarket and homes which will also allow a manufacturing firm to expand to a new factory.
Lidl’s planning application for a store and around 130 homes at Dudbridge, Cainscross, was approved by the council’s development control committee, meaning Stroud Metal Company can move to Stonehouse.
The committee voted in favour of a full planning application for a retail foodstore and flood mitigation measures, and an outline application for a Residential development to the east and south. Members resolved to grant permission subject to conditions to be agreed between officers, and the committee chair and vice-chair.
The Lidl store will cover 2206sq metres and have 132 parking spaces.
Cainscross ward councillor Jenny Miles was pleased at the outcome of the meeting held on Tuesday, March 20.
"Personally, I am glad that it went through,” said Councillor Miles, who is a member of the committee but was unable to attend due to illness. “We are going to get more housing and employment on the site, and Stroud Metal Company will be able to move to a more suitable site for its needs.
“I am pleased that the hard work of our planning officers means some of the industrial character of the area will be retained too."
Fellow ward councillor Rachel Curley said:
"A lot of hard work has gone into getting to this point and I am pleased that the new development will now go ahead."
Committee chair and ward member Tom Williams said:
"It’s good to see this site being brought back in to use. The Lidl store will be a welcome addition to the supermarket scene in Stroud and more housing is always welcome."
The council has already awarded planning permission to discount supermarket chain Aldi for a store nearby at Bath Road Trading Estate, and Lidl already had permission for a bigger store at the former Redler factory site but submitted a fresh application for a smaller store, homes and flood mitigation measures.
Stroud District Council chief executive David Hagg said:
"I’m very pleased that we have facilitated a scheme which will see the Dudbridge site redeveloped, and help a valued local employer expand."
GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership has loaned Stroud Metal Company £3.5million for a new purpose-built 79,000sq ft factory to house it and Stroud Plastics. It is expected to be ready in March 2019.
Matthew Large, managing director of Stroud Metal Company and Stroud Plastic Company, said:
"I am thrilled that we have finally received the thumbs-up from the local authority and we can at long last commence construction of our new factory. It’s been a very long time coming, but will be well worth the wait."