A new Lidl is opening in Stockport after the council approved plans this week.

The supermarket will be based next to the A6 at 111 Wellington Road North in Heaton Norris, replacing a car dealership which shut in 2020.

An entrance for cars to the new supermarket will be from Sparthfield Road off the A6, and the plans include creating 98 parking spaces for customers.

Stockport council had already given permission for a supermarket to be built on the site in 2022, but a legal bust-up followed between Lidl and Tesco which ended up in court.

Tesco, which has a supermarket near Portwood roundabout, said an 'error' was made during the planning process when checking if there were better sites in Stockport which Lidl could use.

But Lidl won the case in the High Court which ruled there was no error of law in Stockport council's decision.

The ruling was confirmed by the Royal Courts of Justice in London after an appeal by Tesco.

Tesco appealed the plans, saying there had been an error in checking if there were better sites the new Lidl could use (Image - Nub News)

Two letters were sent to the council from members of the public in support of the scheme, with one pointing out that there is an over 50s building based next door to the site.

Seven objections were also sent, raising concerns about an 'increase in cars' travelling to the site.

Planning reports stated the new supermarket would 'not give rise to a severe effect on highway operation or unacceptable effect on highway safety,' and that people visiting the shop could also make use of public transport on the A6.

Councillors at the Heatons and Reddish area committee met to discuss the plans on Monday (July 28), and decided to grant Lidl's application.

Cllr Rachel Wise said: "One of the comments in support referenced over 50's housing, recognising that there might be electric scooter users and other kinds of people who have mobility challenges who will now be able to get groceries slightly closer than they currently can."

Lidl is also planning to open a second shop at Cheadle Heath Works on Stockport Road.

Stockport council rejected its application earlier this year, but Lidl has appealed the decision with the planning inspector.

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