Approval to create supermarkets next to each other

Plans have been approved to create two supermarkets directly next to each other in a Derbyshire village.

Both proposals were approved by South Derbyshire District Council at a meeting on Tuesday for an Aldi and an undisclosed supermarket on neighbouring plots in Derby Road, Hilton.

Trenport Investments had its plan approved for the undisclosed supermarket to be built along with an adjacent drive-through coffee shop and eight office units for small businesses, whilst the second application was approved for an Aldi on its own.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said access for the Trenport site would form a fourth arm off the existing Derby Road roundabout.

Despite worries over existing traffic increasing, council officials concluded the two new stores would not have a “significant adverse” impact on traffic in the area.

Councillor Grahame Andrew, who represents Hilton on the district council, said the traffic data from the prospective developers, and assurance from the county council, did not match the “lived experience of residents”.

Councillor Andrew added: "My concern is both businesses will be too successful and traffic will be even worse than predicted."

The LDRS said councillors think there should be a pedestrian and cycling link between the two supermarkets and this was to be explored by council officers in the future.

Sean McGrath, speaking on behalf of Trenport, said they had sought to co-operate with Aldi over a potential shared access for the two sites.

However, Mr McGrath said Aldi declined this approach and could not be forced to share vehicle access, so there would remain two different access points off Derby Road, within metres of each other.

Nick Hardy, on behalf of Aldi, said the German supermarket chain had been operating in Hilton for 10 years and was keen to continue this through relocation from its Huntspill Road store.

Mr Hardy said the Huntspill Road store "does not have sufficient parking", leading to people parking on surrounding roads, and that the operator wanted to avoid this with a new larger site.

He said the company would aim to open the new supermarket by June 2025.

The Trenport application was approved by 10 votes for and three votes against.

The Aldi supermarket was also approved by councillors by a vote of 10 votes in favour and three councillors abstaining.

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