Fuller Long is happy to provide planning and archaeological advice to Lidl GB Ltd for a wide range of projects to support their rapidly growing network of food stores in the United Kingdom. In particular, Keith Hargest has supported Lidl in successfully submitting planning applications for a wide range of projects in Scotland.
Since the company’s arrival in the UK in the early 1990s, Lidl has consistently proved to be one of the fastest-growing grocery retailers in the country and now, according to Kantar, accounts for over 6% of the UK grocery market. The company has regularly won awards for its product ranges, quality and value. Lidl is defined by the Competition Commission as a Limited Assortment Discounter which reflects its distinctive retail offer focusing on mid-sized food stores (typically between 1250 and 2250 sq m GFA) with a limited range of lines when compared to the “Big 4” superstore operators and with a particular focus on its own-brand products.
Our heritage team also provides support to Lidl. In London, this has included providing advice on the archaeological potential of sites, the production of Archaeological Assessments, and the management of required archaeological fieldwork in mitigation of development impacts.
In Scotland, FL’s consultants have worked with Lidl for over 20 years and have helped expand from less than 20 stores to over 100 by early 2021. The support provided includes the preparation and submission of full planning applications for new stores, including the coordination of inputs from technical specialists as required to support applications, liaison with planning authorities, presentation at planning committees and, on the few occasions when planning appeals have been necessary, leading the case at appeal including written submissions, hearings and full planning inquiries.
As part of this service, we have prepared and submitted numerous retail impact, capacity and sequential assessments to address the requirements of Development Plan policies. We have submitted representations on draft Development Plans and, where appropriate, objected to other planning applications that would threaten the viability of existing Lidl stores and wider town centres.
