Legal challenge to new Aldi store in Bakewell is dropped

Designs for a new Aldi store in Bakewell

A judicial review into a proposed new Aldi store in Bakewell has been dropped - but construction work on the new supermarket will not start until 2018 at the earliest.

Riverside Business Park Limited had challenged the plans for the store but has now withdrawn its challenge and agreed to reimburse legal costs to Aldi and the Peak District National Park Authority. Riverside has also agreed not to pursue an appeal in relation to their ambitions for a food store within the business park.

The plans for a new Aldi store on the site of the former Cintride Factory on Ashford Road were approved by the Peak District National Park Authority in May 2015, but the plans had been held up by the legal challenge.

Glen Stidever, Property Director for Aldi, said: “We are very pleased that the legal challenge to our Bakewell store has been dropped.

“There was overwhelming support for our proposal from residents and local representatives, and we know people in the town will share our delight at the outcome.

“Unfortunately, as a result of the legal challenge from Riverside Business Park, the store construction had to be removed from the build programme for 2017.

“We will keep the local community updated as our focus shifts to demolishing the existing properties on site and accommodating the construction within our programme as soon as possible.”

Aldi say the plans will generate up to 40 permanent jobs as well as additional employment opportunities during the construction. The company will also be providing the funds required to purchase a new bus for Bakewell and Eyam Community Transport to improve links between the new store and Bakewell residents.