Lidl’s supermarket plan is rejected

Budget supermarket chain Lidl UK has revealed its disappointment after a plan to build a new supermarket in Rickmansworth was rejected last night. Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) planning officers recommended that the application to turn the former police station on Rectory Road into Lidl supermarket should be rejected, a stance that was backed by councillors last night. This came as TRDC officers and councillors signalled the site’s importance as a site for up to 20 new homes. A pre-application report, compiled by Three Rivers District Council planning officer Joanna Bowyer, reads: “There is a policy objection to the proposed development as the site is allocated for housing and there is no need for additional convenience floor space. The applicant would therefore need to provide appropriate justification to support any proposal.” On the decision a Lidl spokeswoman told My Ricky News: “Of course, we are extremely disappointed by the Committee’s decision to uphold the Officer’s recommendation. We will review the decision notice once formally issued and decide on our next course of action.” Lidl UK originally bought the station from Hertfordshire Constabulary for £2.4m last March.