BBC Young Reporter @ LCS

The proposed site before construction.

Aldi, a successful supermarket, has proposed to build a new supermarket in the land East and West of Rykneld Road Littleover.

If the Aldi store was to be built, it would have a damaging effect on the environment. I am concerned about this because it would cause air pollution and take the homes of wildlife. Moreover, I am concerned about the traffic that would be created in the surrounding area.

Julie - a local resident

Aldi is the UK’s fastest growing supermarket, that has won “The Grocer of the Year” in 2018, and they strongly believe that a cheap and good quality supermarket is missing from the Littleover area. The proposal is still awaiting a decision as to whether the store is going to be opening, but at the moment there has been no planning permission. If the store was given permission, it could open as early as 2020.

If the proposal goes ahead, Aldi plan to build the store the size of 1,315 metres squared. As a result of this proposed store opening, it would create approximately 40 job opportunities, to work in store and on the construction of the building. They also plan to have 122 free customer car parking spaces to use for up to 90 minutes.

Aldi have allowed residents in the Littleover area to voice their opinions on the proposal. On the 10th October 2018 Aldi held a public exhibition at the Heatherton Community Centre, so that locals could find out more information on the proposal. Local residents also had the opportunity to send feedback to Aldi, regarding whether the proposal was a good idea or not.

Although the new Aldi store proposals have not yet been finalised, local residents have different opinions on the proposal. Julie is a local Littleover resident who shared her opinion on the matter: “If the Aldi store was to be built, it would have a dramatic effect on the environment. I am concerned about this because it would cause air pollution and it would be taking the homes of wildlife. Moreover I am concerned about the traffic that would be created in the surrounding area, and its effect of the access on the A38. Although this store might be exciting news for some, it would be a concern for the surrounding shops in the area because of Aldi taking away its customers”.

Whatever your opinion is, be sure to voice it soon… before it’s too late!