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  • "
    Dartbored wrote:
    Tom_Perfect wrote: Laughable. So the council is happy to grant Tesco permission to build a monolith-of-a-store, together with housing, but opposes a comparably smaller store? With the exception of the former Cooperative store in Hythe St (which has recently been sold), there is nowhere else for Lidl to build within the town centre boundary.
    Westgate Car Park was an unused option, apparently, as was The Orchard Shopping centre (re-arranging some of the vacant units). DBC seem miffed that these other options were not even considered. As for the Co-op that's been sold - here's some (encouraging) news: http://www.lepnetwor k.org.uk/south-east- lep-announces-%C2%A3 40million-package-to -unlock-26000-new-jo bs.html Surprised Newsshopper didn't pick up on it..... ;o)
    On any given weekday, Westgate carpark is nigh-on full. The Orchard is simply too small. Many Lidl stores are freestanding with generous parking space. Instone Road presented an ideal opportunity.

    £900,000 will cover the cost of demolition and security. Little in the way of progress."
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Plans for Lidl supermarket in Dartford left on the shelf

10:51am Wednesday 25th April 2012 in News By Jim Palmer

Plans for supermarket left on the shelf Plans for supermarket left on the shelf

A SUPERMARKET has been refused permission to build in Dartford over concerns it would damage the business of high street traders.

Low-cost retailer Lidl’s application to build on the 1502 square-metre former Dartford Police Station site in Instore Road was rejected by Dartford Council’s development control board on Thursday (April 19).

Officers had recommended refusal on the grounds the supermarket would be on the edge of the town centre and would "result in a draw of trade from shops that are located within the town centre boundary".

They said the introduction of another supermarket taking people away from the town centre would lead to a "loss of individuality" and a "reduction in the diversity" of the town centre.

In a report, the officers said: "The major stores may continue trading with some loss of trade but smaller independent stores and market stalls will become more seriously affected by small shifts in trade and become unviable."

Dartford Town Centre Partnership’s chairman, Bob Heasman, said: "I think the decision was quite right in the context of the Town Centre Plan.

"The concentration of the retail should be in the town centre rather than on the outskirts of the town."

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Planning permission was granted for 57 homes in June 2010, but Lidl bought the plot last February and then demolished the police station.

There were 49 letters of support for the plans and a petition which attracted 346 signatures, while the council received only one letter of objection.

Those supporting the development argued it would boost the town, bring welcome competition and create jobs.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said: "I can understand this decision. Improving Dartford town centre is going to take time and a number of difficult decisions will need to be made to ensure the town centre prospers.

"I am optimistic about the future of the town centre but it is going to take time to achieve all that we want.

"Central Park is looking fantastic and we now need to redevelop the rest of the town."

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