AN APPLICATION for a new Aldi supermarket in Longbridge has been given the green light by Birmingham City Council planners.
The store will be built on the site between 1629 and 1653 Bristol Road South, bringing 50 new jobs.
The supermarket giant said, following a consultation in November last year, a total of 94 per cent of people supported the plans.
It added it would provide significant investment in the area, totalling more than £7million.
The site would boast 109 car parking bays, including seven accessible bays and six parent and children parking bays. There will also be four electric vehicle (EV) charging points and bicycle storage facilities.
An Aldi spokesperson said the company was grateful for the level of support the application had received.
“We want to breather new life into this site which has been overlooked for too long and can now help serve the new and current Longbridge community.”
An application submitted by the retailer back in 2018 – at the same site which has been owned by Aldi for 14 years – were rejected by Birmingham City Council’s planning authority over fears it could lead to traffic problems in the area.
Coun Simon Morrall, who represents the area and had spoken up for the supermarket to be given the go ahead, said: “Brilliant news and long overdue.
“This will create jobs and help families with the cost-of-living.
“Myself and Coun Adrian Delaney have long campaigned for this but for some stupid reason the city council rejected it six years ago despite overwhelming public support.
“This site has been a derelict eyesore since Rover went bust back in 2005 and the same year I left Colmers.
“It’s great to see planning finally come to their senses.
“But it really shouldn’t have taken this long to get diggers in the ground.
“I look forward to it opening and serving so many amazing residents across the B45 area.”
