Lidl supermarket in Street could expand with further parking if plans approved

A supermarket in a Somerset village could be expanded if plans are approved – though it is not certain whether any new jobs will be created.

Lidl GB Ltd. has applied to increase the size of its existing store on Gravenchon Way in Street, which lies at the western edge of the village.

In addition to increasing the store size, an additional 18 car parking spaces and eight cycling spaces will be provided at the site's southern edge.

Mendip District Council is expected to make a decision on the plans in early-2022.

Through the expansion, around 100 sq m of additional floorspace will be added to the store, which has been open since 2009.

A spokesman said: "The proposed development will continue to support the existing Lidl store, enabling it to modernise and expand to improve its retail offering to Street and the surrounding area.

"The scheme has been sensitively designed to improve parking, whilst minimising disruption to the existing site. It also creates new public amenities, including a dedicated bottle recycling point and new customer toilet, to enable us to continue to provide the highest quality retail offering for our customers."

The German supermarket giant has not confirmed whether any new jobs will be directly created as a result of the expansion.

The company has committed to investing £1.3bn in store expansions up to the end of 2022, as well as opening new stores across Somerset – including planned outlets in Frome and Shepton Mallet.

Construction of a replacement Lidl store on Roman Road in Taunton – on the site of the former Six Acres day centre – is expected to be completed on Thursday (December 2).

The council's planning board was expected to approve plans for a replacement Lidl store in Wells in October – but the decision was ultimately pushed back due to concerns about flooding.

The council is expected to make a decision on the Street expansion plans early in the new year.

A decision is also expected next year on separate proposals to expand the Street Business Park towards the A39 Quarry Batch, which could create up to 600 new jobs.