Lidl given permission to demolish homes to expand car park

Lidl bought homes next to its store at Kingsway in Ossett and has now been granted planning permission from Wakefield Council to demolish them and create a further 47 parking spaces.

A spokeswoman said the expansion was necessary to accommodate a rise in customer numbers.

But the plans, which were approved at a meeting last week, have left the community divided.

Wakefield Council gave the go-ahead despite receiving 11 letters of objection and a petition against the proposal, signed by 284 people. Concerns included the “unnecessary demolition of good quality housing stock” and noise disturbance from increased traffic.

David White said on Facebook that the plans were “outrageous”. And nearby resident David Ross, 73, told the Express: “We don’t want them pulling down houses in a conservation area. It’s absolutely atrocious.”

But twenty-five people wrote letters in support of the planning application. And some took to social media, claiming the car park expansion was “needed”.

Lisa Deighton said: “I would much rather the cars were parked in a car park than along the road by the supermarket. If the store has paid the asking price for the properties then I don’t see what there is to complain about.”