A new Aldi store is set to be built at a retail park in Southampton, if plans are approved.
The discount supermarket chain will take over a section of the current Wickes store at Shirley Retail Park in Winchester Road.
Plans show the Wickes will reduce in overall size but the building will be expanded with a mezzanine level for the DIY store and more space to house Aldi.
More parking spaces - 172 up from 131 - are included in the plans, along with a 'better traffic flow' and four electric vehicle charging points.
The proposal comes after Aldi bosses vowed to open two new stores in Southampton this year.
Some 13 objections have been made to the planning application, with one person supporting it.
One objector said: "The case for additional food retail outlet in the locality is slender; over-provision of supermarkets in a small locality is detrimental to trading profits of all.
Parking at Wickes is already utilised at (around) 80 per cent of capacity, and re-configuration is unlikely to meet the needs of a further store.
"Winchester Road is already notable for traffic fumes in this locality. A new store will add to commercial vehicle traffic volume increasing air pollution and noise to detriment of neighbourhood."
But a supporter said: "I think that this proposal sounds brilliant. It will be incredibly useful for me as a local resident (and many others too I'm sure) to have a budget-friendly food shop in the area.
"I understand some other local residents are concerned about noise created by deliveries, however the current Wickes has a number of large deliveries daily, and the noise of these are not an issue."
A decision on the plans is due to be made on Tuesday by councillors at Southampton City Council's Planning and Rights of Way Panel.
Council officers have recommended the plans be delegated to an officer for approval.
A planning statement on behalf of Aldi said: "The scheme proposes a new single storey Aldi food store introduced into the current unit footprint on the western side with Wickes downsizing and taking the remainder of the building.
"The building (gross external area) increases with the addition of new entrance lobbies for the two stores, increasing it from 4,478m2 to 4,517m2.
"The (gross internal area) GIA of the Aldi unit will be 1,906m2; 1,315m2 of which is the retail area.
"The ground floor GIA of the Wickes unit will be 2,493m2 with a further 440m2 added to the first floor GIA through the introduction of a mezzanine which brings the first floor GIA to 685m2.
"Both Wickes and Aldi will have new entrance lobbies along the north west elevation providing an active frontage to Winchester Rd and much of the shared car park.
"Wickes will also have a click and collect entrance in the location of their old trade entrance."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel