Birmingham City Council has approved plans for a new Lidl supermarket to replace the 29-year-old Wickes DIY store on Stratford Road in Hall Green. The proposed development includes demolishing the existing store to make way for a modern 24,000 square foot supermarket, accompanied by a 120-space car park.
This project is expected to create approximately 40 new jobs in the local community, although no official opening date has been announced yet. The Wickes store, which originally opened in 1996, has served the area for nearly three decades, but council planning officers believe the new Lidl store will enhance the visual appeal of the site.
The supermarket will feature Lidl’s latest store design, following their standard layout. However, the development does not meet the BREEAM Excellent rating, a top global standard for green building, which requires scoring 70% or higher on the BREEAM assessment. Lidl representatives have stated that achieving this certification is not “achievable or viable” for this project.
READ MORE: Lidl Accelerates Plans to Demolish Former Harborne Day Centre for New Store
The city council’s report noted that while the building design is functional, it is acceptable within the context of the surrounding area and the structure it will replace. Additional landscaping plans, including greenery along the two road frontages and tree planting at the southern boundary, are intended to enhance the overall quality and aesthetics of the site.
In addition to the Hall Green development, Lidl plans to demolish the former Harborne Day Care Centre to build another 24,000 square foot store. Following a public consultation last month, over 300 participants responded, with 93% expressing support for the proposals.