A decision on whether a proposed new Aldi supermarket in Highbridge gets the go-ahead looks set to be made in May.
Sedgemoor District Council’s consultation period on the plans ended this week, having attracted support from many residents, but opposition from some local businesses.
The proposed store is earmarked for Bennett Road, at the northern end of the Isleport Industrial Park.
As first reported here, town councillors and businesses are concerned that the proposed store would severely hit trade in Burnham and Highbridge. Concerns have been raised by the Chamber of Trade, supported by over 60 local businesses.
But many residents have written to Sedgemoor District Council in support of the scheme.
The authority’s Development Control Committee looks set to be consider the plans at its next meeting in May when a decision could be made by district councillors on whether to give the plans the go-ahead.
Aldi says: “An Aldi store would represent a multi-million pound investment in Highbridge, providing more shopping choice and making shopping and saving easier for local people, who currently travel to other supermarkets.”
One, Graham Hardes, says: “This store will be a great asset to the people of the local area and give them more choice of where to shop.”
However, Aldi’s own research indicates that Lidl in Burnham could lose 19.4% of its trade due to the proposed new store on the Isleport Industrial estate.
And Aldi’s research also shows that existing Burnham town centre stores that sell competing goods may lose 7.3% of their trade, threatening the viability of the town centre, it is claimed, which has already suffered a decline in footfall since the closure of Morrisons in 2015.
An Aldi spokesperson told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We consulted local people before submitting a planning application and the responses highlighted that the vast majority of the local community are delighted to hear an Aldi could soon be opening near them.”
“An Aldi store would represent a multi-million pound investment in Highbridge, providing more shopping choice and making shopping and saving easier for local people, who currently travel to other supermarkets.”
