Lidl seek to open new store near Dartford and Bluewater
Lidl have submitted plans to open a new store in Stone just outside Dartford.
It’s part of a wider masterplan for a former quarry site, and is set to include 117 parking spaces. Vehicles will enter from Stone Place Road just off London Road.
Comment
It’s the usual Lidl template of a low-rise shop and extensive car park which seems a waste of the plot given the site’s proximity to Stone Crossing railway station and demand for housing. It’s less than ten minutes to the station which sees four trains per hour.
Yet once again Lidl adopt a cut and paste model regardless of location.
There’s nothing wrong with the company and no doubt many would welcome it. Indeed it provides jobs but they do love to waste land and have done for many years, particularly in areas ideal for new housing such as sites walkable to stations.
In the past when there’s some kick back from authorities Lidl have adjusted plans in places. Will Dartford Council do so? The borough have a severe housing issue which has cost the borough substantial sums.
In addition, new housing brings funds from Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy, not to mention council tax.
If the land is to be developed – and this plot certainly will be in time so a blanket no probably wouldn’t carry much weight – then seeking mixed-usage with homes above a shop and/or adjacent parking would help to reduce sprawl onto greenery at sites further from good transport links.
Hi
Housing is not a Lidl responsibility
Lidl….are selling groceries
This road looks an ideal spot, off the main roads, large car park..ideal
Yet in the past Lidl have made a PR song and dance about pushing mixed-use projects including housing on land at new store developments.
Yes it is really a planning issue when it comes to land usage but many companies involved in development are not only concerned with one tenure or operate in a silo, and that includes supermarkets. Stating Lidl is only concerned with groceries isn’t correct when it comes to land usage. Other Lidl proposals – see Eltham and Bromley recently – are mixed-use in nature with housing alongside retail at those sites.
A new Lidl that would be in close proximity to Stone Crossing railway station and just off the M25/A282 Junction 1a. As well as new housing development. Sounds great for those who live in Stone Crossing.
The new Lidl at stone is going to built on a household waste tip so you can’t build homes on it and dartford has thousands of homes being built or already built
Dartford and surrounds is a traffic clogged area most of the time. More development that encourages driving such as this Lidl is not going to help. Improving public transport and having new homes near transport is needed.
Slightly off your usual patch but have you seen this application by Lidl? It’s in the industrial area on the edge of leafy Bickley, on a contaminated site that used to be a gasworks.
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/26475266.bromley-lidl-sets-sights-former-gasworks-land-new-supermarket/