A HEARTFELT plea to object to a major expansion of the Aldi store in Studley was heard by parish councillors on Tuesday evening.
It came from from Birmingham Road resident Jane Hunt who will have the development right on her doorstep.
Not only that but it would affect everyone as the plans envisaged using green belt land to expand the car park, cause an increase in traffic at the Barley Mow island – which already breaks national air quality standards – and put pedestrians in danger.
In addition two family homes would be demolished to make way for the expansion.
“The store is already too big for its site,” she told councillors.
“This size of supermarket is more suited to a retail park or out of town development, not a village.”
She said there was also the light and noise pollution at all hours of the day to consider plus the constant stream traffic.
The meeting heard Aldi already owned the house nearest the existing store, which was now empty, while the family in the neighbouring semi had been given notice to quit.
The application calls for the store to be extended to the front and side, coming up closer to the pavement on the A435 and further into the existing car park.
To compensate land in the Green Belt to the rear, also owned by Aldi, would be used to increase the car park to 123 spaces.
“They are coming within seven foot of my home, and then there will be the physical act of demolishing the neighbouring properties – to me it’s unacceptable,” said Mrs Hunt, a mother of four who has lived in her house for 23 years.
Councillors were equally concerned, particularly at the loss of two family homes, the loss of green belt and the impact on air quality.
Warwickshire County Council Highways have already objected to the plans and have called for a traffic safety audit – the Aldi plan calls for a central filter lane to access the store from the village.
Coun Neil Edden said: “The use of green belt could set a precedent if we allow this sort of thing to happen, as it should only be in ‘exceptional circumstances’ and I do not see this in any way of being exception circumstances.”
Coun Brian Dixon voiced fears for children and families walking from the Abbeyfield estate into the village having to cross a new, re-worked entrance to the store.
Marshalled by Coun Beaman members drew up a list of eight key objections which were unanimously passed.
