Budget supermarket Aldi’s proposal for a new store in Balsall Common will go before Solihull planners next week. 

The supermarket, which originally applied for permission in Kenilworth Road in December 2021, bid has also been given a boost as council officers are recommending it get the go-ahead. 

Aldi has previously promised a £5 million investment to create a store on the former Edwins Autos site to the north of Balsall Common which is currently vacant.

The application is for the demolition of the existing former service station building and construction of the supermarket with associated access and landscaping.

The site would feature 93 car parking spaces and a cycle shelter providing parking for 16 bikes.

In its submission to the authority Avison Young, the planning agent, writes: “Aldi has been seeking representation in Balsall Common for many years and is committed to the delivery of a modern foodstore which will widen consumer choice and be capable of meeting the main food shopping needs of Balsall Common and the wider catchment.”

The current application site (image via Google Maps)

An eyecatching artist impression is also included in the plans.

The chain carried out its own consultation with the public and of the 356 who responded, 80 per cent supported it. 

Meanwhile 152 letters of support were submitted to the council with two letters of objection. 

Residents told the authority they were supportive due to the 40 new jobs Aldi was promising to create; the growing village needed more affordable shopping facilities and it was “ideally situated” for a location described as a “total eyesore”. 

Those against it said it was harmful to the green belt which most of the site is on. 

But Solihull officers in the documents prepared for the council’s planning committee meeting write: “Having considered the totality of the benefits of the proposed development against the totality of its harms, including harm by virtue of inappropriateness, the benefits do clearly outweigh the extent of harms. 

“The very special circumstances necessary to justify the proposal do exist.”

The application will go before the next meeting of Solihull Council’s planning committee being held at the Civic Suite on October 9.