Stockport site earmarked for new Lidl to be demolished
A site in Stockport earmarked for a new Lidl store is set to be bulldozed.
The supermarket confirmed the demolition of Cheadle Heath Works, on Stockport Road, is set to begin in the coming weeks.
Lidl was given planning permission to demolish the former Deanprint site by Stockport council in 2022 – but its plans were delayed when a separate application to open a foodstore there was knocked back this January.
Town hall officers recommended the foodstore scheme was rejected, saying that it failed to 'respect the positive character of the local area', as well as raising concerns over the 'scale, form and elevational treatment of the store building'.
Nearly 60 residents also wrote to the council objecting to the plan, raising fears over traffic levels around the area near Roscoes roundabout and a slip road from the M60.
But the supermarket said last week that it 'remains focused on bringing our affordable, high-quality offering to Stockport Road,' which it says is supported by more than 500 local residents in a petition.
A fire broke out at Cheadle Heath Works on April 10, sparking concerns over whether the site was being properly maintained by the supermarket.
A spokesperson for Stockport Council said: "We're aware of the recent incident [the fire] on the land owned by Lidl at the former Deanprint site in Cheadle Heath.
"Demolition is expected to take place within the next month, and we'll continue to monitor the site closely in the meantime.
"We understand local concerns and are in contact with Lidl to make sure the area is managed properly while work is ongoing."
Cllr David Meller last week urged the council to act after he said there had been "multiple complaints and incidents" at the site.
He also encouraged Lidl to sell the land so that it can be developed for housing.
Responding, Lidl said it has taken steps to secure the site since its purchase, and that it was re-secured after a break-in earlier this month.
A spokesperson added: "We're grateful to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for their swift response to the fire on April 10, and we're relieved no one was harmed.
"We truly appreciate all the support we've received so far [for the new store], and look forward to keeping the community updated."
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