Town Council backs Aldi plans for Smithfield Road supermarket

Welshpool Town Council has backed plans for a new Aldi supermarket to be built on the site alongside the Smithfield Bell.

The council’s planning, development and environment committee voted unanimously to support the plans after hearing the views of members of the public and receiving a presentation from the supermarket company.

But the council’s support is subject to 106 agreement funding to allow the Town Council to carry out a scheme of theming the area from the site to the town centre, including lighting to the canal and CCTV cameras around the site.

The Town Council has also asked Powys County Council to observe the concerns of residents who expressed views on late night deliveries, access issues, the removal of trees and noise levels.

Last year the Town Council objected to plans by Lidl to build on the site but members are now happy that issues such as deliveries and parking have now been addressed.

A statement read: “The committee considered what other retail space was available in the town centre, the old Coop building is now occupied by Poundland and the two units on the Tesco Site have both been taken. There is no other significant space left for retail within the town centre.

“The committee felt that there was no reason not to support the application on this basis.

“The committee considered the effect the scheme might have on the town centre and was of the view that the scheme brought more to the town than it might lose.

“The committee considered the concerns of some of the supermarkets with the arrival of a discount store. The effect of losing one of the other supermarkets was considered and it was felt that this was not likely.”