PLANS to create a new discount supermarket beside one of Carlisle’s most flood-prone roads have been met with a fierce backlash from residents.
German chain Lidl has announced it intends to build its second store in the city - this time on land beside the flood-prone Warwick Road.
The new supermarket would be on land adjacent to Botcherby Community Centre, a site the company have already rejected once following the devastating floods of 2015.
A petition has been set up by Rebecca Mooney to try and stop the plans. The 23-year-old, of Victoria Road, has also created a social media page where residents can voice their opinions, and says she has been getting a lot of support from other residents.
“One of the main reasons I, and many others, are against the new Lidl store being built is its location,” Rebecca explained.
“Lidl tried a few years ago to put these plans in action, they had staked out the land and then the 2015 flood happened and they decided the land wasn’t suitable. What has changed?
“They are now trying their luck again with the same site, in the same area, with much the same residents. Just because they have forgotten the area flooded in 2015 doesn’t mean that the residents have.”
The proposed multi-million pound shop would include 146 parking spaces, an in-store bakery, longer tills with dual packing, and would create up to 40 new jobs.
To combat anticipated issues for drivers heading to and from the store, a Lidl spokesman said traffic lights on the Warwick Road and Victoria Road junction would be proposed to help improve road safety and provide a safe pedestrian crossing.
John Kelsall, chairman of the Carlisle Flood Action Group, has also raised a number of serious concerns about the site - particularly in light of the fact work on new flood defences were this week paused, because it has been too wet.
He told The Cumberland News: “I don’t know the full details, but it is a very sensitive site.
“Warwick Road has been historically built on flood plain, and that is why we are having to talk about [flood] protection.
“The problem with putting a store on there, as with any development, is that it won’t improve flooding, and it’s probably going to get flooded.
“On the other hand, if it’s a very clever design where the building is on stilts with a car park underneath, and making other arrangements so any displacement of water is at least mitigated to that or any greater extent, then we can never say no to development.
“However, I would be very surprised if it was economic.”
However, not all residents are against this. 32-year-old lightning conductor engineer, Haydn Fenton who lives in Botherby is in favour of the new store.
He said: “While a lot of people see the recent surge in Costas, Greggs, fast food joints, barbers, supermarkets and crossings in Carlisle as superfluous, simple supply and demand is the obvious reason for their growth.
“I’m in favour for a number of reasons.
“There’s the economical benefits to the local area, both during construction in the way of jobs and boosted revenue to local shops, and after completion in the way of staff and more business rates for the local authority.
“The funded signalising of the junction, if done correctly, should smooth the flow of traffic coming out of Victoria Road and will be necessary with another adjoining junction. Regarding the flood plain concerns, Lidl will surely have a vested interest in the development of future flood prevention, which also works in our favour.
“Granted, there’s down sides with more temporary interruption to Warwick Road but that’s not any different to the current situation and people will inevitably need something to complain about once the central plaza issue is resolved.
Rebecca added: “I am a resident of Victoria Road who has been flooded twice, once in 2005 and in 2015.
“My view is that the council and Lidl have not considered the area they are proposing to build.
“The people in this area of town have faced two floods. Have we, as residents of Carlisle, not faced enough torment by our council already?
“I do not have much free time but I am determined to throw everything I have into getting this project stopped.”
48-year-old Sarah McBride Armstrong, who is a resident on Warwick Road has also objected to the plans.
She said: “The field they are planning to use is a floodplain and, I think, has a basin in the middle to allow more water to sit there in very wet weather. If lidl build the field would no longer be available to hold water as it would be taken over by concrete and tarmac. Also a massive concern is that the Environment Agency have postponed the flood bank upgrade due to wet weather.”
David Murphy, Lidl GB’s regional head of property said: “We’re very excited about the prospect of bringing a new store to Carlisle and look forward to welcoming anyone along to our public consultation day and showcasing plans whilst answering any questions.”
Lidl previously submitted an application for a new store on the site in 2015, which was later withdrawn following concerns about flooding.
A spokesman from the chain added they are working closely with both the Environmental Agency and Council in order to mitigate these concerns on its latest application.
18-year-old Carlisle College student, Keiron Huddart from Brampton is also in favour of the new site.
He explained: “It’s closer to Junction 43 which is a good thing and as I travel from Brampton to do weekly shopping it will make easy for people to get cheaper shopping and creating new jobs.”
If anyone would like to sign the petition set up by Rebecca, go to https://www.change.org/p/carlisle-council-object-to-lidl-on-warwick-road?
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