TESCO has waded into the row over plans for a new Lidl in Thornbury.

Discount chain Lidl applied for planning permission to South Gloucestershire Council in November last year to build a store in Midland Way. 

The proposed site was previously occupied by clothing supplier Alexandra Workwear, which had been based in the town for nearly 30 years. 

As part of the plans, if approved, the old unit would be completely demolished and replaced with the new Lidl store. 

Tesco says the proposed site is “an out-of-centre location” and has stated the planning application should be refused.

Dozens of residents have welcomed the proposed store, saying it would create new jobs, improve the town's infrastructure, and broaden the range of shopping options. 

So far, 109 people have supported the application, while 18 others have expressed opposition - including supermarket rival Aldi and St Mary Shopping Centre. 

An artist's impression of the proposed Thornbury Lidl (Image: Lidl)
On behalf of Tesco, Martin Robeson from Martin Robeson Planning Practice said: “Our client trades from a Superstore on Midland Road.

“The store was the subject of considerable investment when it opened in 1996 and Tesco continues to invest in Thornbury today.

"We make initial representations on the following: an unjustified fall back position arising from a Certificate of Lawful Use and the requirement for a sequential assessment and retail impact assessment.” 

He added: “The site is in an out-of-centre location and the proposed new food store at 2,228 sqm exceeds the locally set threshold by over a factor of two. 

“Both a sequential assessment and retail impact assessment are required.

"The proposed development is over two times the size of the locally set threshold therefore demonstrating the significance of the risk here.

"Without an impact assessment, the council is unable to conclude whether there would be a
significant adverse impact on the town centre.

"The application, as it stands, is critically deficient in not providing necessary and relevant information and thus justifies refusal."

The proposed Lidl site was occupied by clothing supplier Alexandra Workwear (Image: Google Maps)

It comes as Aldi, Thornbury Chamber of Commerce and St Mary Shopping Centre also all raised similar concerns about the proposed site.

They said the new supermarket - located on the outskirts of Thornbury - could potentially harm the town centre.

It is believed up to 40 new full and part time jobs would be created at the proposed Lidl store.

The proposed supermarket would include a sales area with five aisles, a warehouse delivery area, freezer room, bakery, manager's office, staff facilities and customer toilets.

In addition, 95 car parking spaces would be created including six disabled, eight family plus two EV charging points and five new cycle hoops installed. 

A Lidl spokesperson previously said nearly 2,500 residents have supported their plans through its consultation. 

They said: “With nearly 2,500 residents confirming their support for our plans, it’s clear that there is a strong desire within the community for convenient access to a Lidl store. 

“These challenges therefore go against this clear public sentiment, however we remain fully committed to delivering our high quality, affordable produce to households in Thornbury.” 

Meanwhile, Lidl previously said in a planning document: "We are confident that Lidl will not have a significant impact on town centre retail. 

"It is important to recognise that Lidl does not directly compete with many other town centre retail businesses."

You can view the application quoting P23/02925/F or see here - tinyurl.com/2kn44s6r