Lidl hits back at Edinburgh City Council over new store rejection

The proposed store would have secured employment for up to 35 people and Lidl claim that 83 per cent of local residents who responded to a survey expressed support for it during public consultation periods.

Proposed design for a new Lidl supermarket on Seafield Road

Lidl has hit back at Edinburgh City Council for blocking its plans to open a new supermarket in Seafield over fears it would attract too many cars.

The Council rejected Lidl’s plans primarily on the grounds that opening a supermarket in a small industrial retail park on Seafield Road would counter city aims to be climate friendly.

At a meeting on Wednesday members of the Council’s Development Management Sub-Committee highlighted that the site is not well connected to public transport, with the “infrequent” and “unreliable” number 12 Lothian bus being the best and only public transport option.

They also argued that because it would take 17 minutes for many people residing within the supermarket's catchment area to walk to it, customers are most likely to travel to the store by car, creating an increase in congestion that would be damaging to both the environment and local community.

However, Lidl have come back saying their proposals included a range of access options beyond cars, and that there was no objection to the store opening from Edinburgh Council Road Service on transport grounds

A spokesperson for Lidl said: “We are extremely disappointed with this decision. It is our strong belief that this Lidl store would be of great benefit to the residents of Craigentinny and Restalrig, providing access to high quality affordable food for all households, providing a sustainable solution to long-term investment in the local area, and securing employment for up to 35 local people.

“Our proposed store would be a new complimentary supermarket within an established retail park, creating an improved and more comprehensive shopping experience. This much needed investment would serve the current community, but also assist in meeting the future demands of a rapidly growing local population. The public consultation we carried out with local residents on our plans indicated overwhelming support for a Lidl in Seafield, with 83% of respondents fully in favour of our application.

“Ease of access for customers is of key importance to us and this store proposal included a variety of access options; the site is within 20 minute walking distance for almost 8,000 local people, a cycle path, bus service, and Lidl had intended to include a significant inclusive car and bicycle park within our store site. Furthermore, there was no objection from Edinburgh Council Road Service on transport grounds.

“We would like to take the opportunity at this time to thank all of those who have supported us so far. We will now take time to review our options in light of this decision and will update the local community in due course.”

Cllr Neil Gardiner, Development Management Sub Committee Convener, said: “This planning application was refused by a majority vote by elected members in a publicly broadcast ‘virtual committee’ after careful consideration of the planning issues in the report by the Chief Planning Officer. At the end of last year there was a similar application, which was refused by officers under delegation.

“Going forward the applicant is welcome to consider the view of Committee and officers to bring forward a proposal which meets the requirements which are set out in planning policies and guidance.”