Plans for new Lidl in Melksham spark heated debate

On April 29, the multinational supermarket giants applied to build a new foodstore on land just off Eastern Way in Melksham.

As previously reported, the German trader wants to close its 20-year-old store on Bath Road and build on 1.9 hectares of farmland near Eastern Way, 1.8km from the town centre.

The new, multi-million pound store would measure 2,184 sq m with a sales floor of 1,529 square metres – more than a third larger than its existing store.

There would be 132 car parking spaces including six disabled bays, nine parent and child spaces, and two EV charging spaces.

The proposal has drawn a wave of responses from councillors and residents. Melksham Without Parish Council said they supported the extra retail and employment opportunities offered by the proposal.

However, they also flagged several issues such as the need for pedestrian and cycle access, concerns over the proposed entrance, and clarifications over lighting elements.

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Additionally, the parish council requested contribution to bus provision, for the provision of a construction management plan, and for Wiltshire Council to review the relocation of Lidl out of the town centre.

Melksham Town Council said it supported the parish council’s comments, adding that it also objects to the proposal with regards to its design, materials, and landscaping.

The town council requested that the landscaping and elevations are improved and made more sympathetic.

Some residents, meanwhile have voiced strong opposition to the plans. Isobel Owens-Smith said she “strongly object[s]” to the proposal. She explained: “This development would result in the unnecessary destruction of wildlife habitat and valued local green space currently used for dog walking and recreation.

“Once lost, this natural environment cannot be replaced. There are clearly more suitable brownfield sites available within Melksham, including the abandoned pub site adjacent to the existing Lidl store, which could be redeveloped without sacrificing countryside.

“The proposal would also leave a large vacant retail unit in the town centre, which is unlikely to be reoccupied given current retail trends. This risks further decline of the town centre and undermines efforts to keep it vibrant.

“In addition, increased traffic on this side of town would put further pressure on New Road, which is effectively single track in places and wholly unsuitable for significantly higher vehicle volumes. This raises both congestion and safety concerns.

"Melksham already has six supermarkets serving the community. A larger Lidl offers no meaningful benefit to residents and does not justify the environmental harm, traffic impact, and economic damage to the town centre that this proposal would cause."

Where the new store would be located (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Not all respondents were opposed to the plan, however. Geoffrey Carr said the store would be built in an area of the town that has “already been compromised by the approval for a large housing estate”. The proposed supermarket therefore, “can hardly make the situation much worse”.

Mr Carr wrote: “As the environmental and rural amenity aspects of eastern Melksham have already been compromised by the approval for a large housing estate on former agricultural land, the proposal for a Lidl at this location can hardly make the situation much worse.

“Indeed, it will form a useful and convenient retail outlet for the east of town. Consideration should be given, however, for a pedestrian crossing across Eastern Way to the proposed store for the benefit of shoppers choosing to visit by foot.”