Oppose LIDL Foodstore Development at Bishop Bridge Road Norwich NR1 4ES

Lidl have agreed to acquire the Value Car Centre premises on Bishop Bridge Road, Norwich.

They will shortly be submitting a planning application for a discount food store with associated parking. The food store will have a sales area of 1286 sqm and approximately 85 car parking spaces.

The proposed Lidl store will be on the corner of Kett's Hill and Bishop Bridge Road. An area of great historical interest we believe that development of the area for commercial and retail purposes will adversely affect the already congested area in respect of traffic.

This is a residential area with many local schools being accessed via Kett's Hill, Gurney Road, Barrack Street and Bishop Bridge. Currently the area experiences a great deal of congestion during the busiest hours and access on and off the roundabout is often blocked completely during rush hours.

Additionally there is no public need for another supermarket in the area. Further up Kett's Hill on Plumstead Road there is an Aldi supermarket, Tesco local, Co-operative and thriving local shops. On Bishop Bridge Road there is an existing off license and local store and the area is efficiently served by many other local small stores in addition to the local Aldi and the Morrisons superstore at Riverside.

With regard to jobs in the area we believe that further congestion and relocating customers from local shops will in fact close down many small businesses in the area. The negatives far outweigh the positives.

Lidl is holding public consultation at Pilling Park on Wednesday 22nd October 2014 at the Pilling Park Community Centre, 23 Pilling Park Road NR14PA between 2.30 and 7pm. We are aware that, despite public opposition, planning is often approved for commercial developments such as this.

Please oppose this and further development of what's left of Norwich's residential areas into congested, commercial centres. You can sign the petition together with making your opinion known at the consultation and by writing to Planning Department, Norwich City Council, City Hall, St Peters Street, Norwich. NR2 1NH.