A councillor said Lidl has left a 'sour taste' after delaying its application for a new store in Cheadle Heath – the day it was due to be decided on.

The supermarket applied to open a new site at Cheadle Heath Works on Stockport Road in January 2023, with a decision due to be made at the Cheadle area committee on December 3.

Council officers recommended the application was rejected due to the design and potential loss of employment land, but Lidl submitted new information ahead of the meeting causing the decision to be pushed back.

The proposed new Lidl store includes a bakery in a 2,000 sqm building based near Roscoes Roundabout and the M60, with a total of 102 car parking spaces in the development.

Some local residents have opposed the scheme, with nearly 60 people submitting objections to the council due to fears about an increase in traffic around the slip road from the motorway.

They said roads in the area are already very busy, with cars 'backing all the way up towards Edgeley' at peak times.

This design depicts a Lidl in Ashton, which could be similar to the proposed store (Image - Wigan Council planning portal)

Lidl's deferral of the application sparked fury during the area committee meeting.

Cheadle East and Cheadle Hulme North councillor David Meller said he was "really quite angry" about the eleventh-hour delay.

"I don't think it's acceptable and I don't think it sends a good message to my residents in Cheadle Heath, and I imagine councillors Newman and Julian agree as well.

"I'm absolutely livid that it's come to this last second and it's being pulled now. I really hope this comes forward in January, I apologise to residents, they were expecting this to be listened to and heard tonight."

Cllr Ian Hunter, chair of the Cheadle area committee, added: "I echo your disappointment on this, this application has been in the system for a considerable amount of time, to submit these documents at the last minute puts a strain on the system and does show a lack of regard for the planning system."

The application is expected to come back before the committee in January to be decided.

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