Hundreds back plans for Aldi supermarket in Amersham
The store is set to take over the Lookers Jaguar site
Hundreds of people have backed plans to build an ALDI supermarket at the site of a former car dealership in Amersham.
More than 540 people support the idea of having a new Aldi supermarket at the former Lookers Jaguar site, on London Road West, in Amersham – which council documents also suggest is a ‘flood risk’ area.
Mr Sam Sheppard has submitted to Bucks Council a planning application on behalf of Aldi Stores Limited for the site of the former Jaguar dealership.
Plans include the demolition of the existing car showroom, valeting services, and outdoor vehicle display area, and the erection of an Aldi food shop.
A new vehicle entrance and exit (from London Road West), servicing and landscaping are also proposed.
There will be 101 parking spaces, according to council documents. Five of those will be disability spaces, and four for electric vehicles (EV).
The new Aldi shop will employ 15 full-time staff and 20 part-time workers.
Its proposed opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8am-10pm, with the same hours on Saturday. Sunday and Bank Holiday opening hours will be 10am-5pm.
The site is also within an area ‘at risk of flooding’, reports indicate.
Aldi said a consultation had seen it reach out to both ward councillors and cabinet members, and town and parish councils.
More than 6,900 leaflets about the scheme had also been distributed locally.
An online feedback form saw more than 93 per cent (549) of people in support of the proposal, while just over five per cent (30) were not in favour, and ten people were unsure.
“This site represents an excellent opportunity to deliver a multi-million-pound investment and provide beneficial economic development through the provision of an Aldi discount foodstore,” a planning and retail statement reads.
Bucks Council validated the online application on May 12. If successful, Aldi intends to build and open the supermarket in 2023.