Local residents look set to be kept waiting to find out if Aldi and Lidl will be allowed to build new supermarkets in Balsall Common.

Supermarket giant Aldi - which has recently said it plans to invest more than £400 million in new stores this year - has applied for planning permission to build a new unit on the west side of Kenilworth Road.

If approved, the scheme will see the car garage demolished and replaced with a "high quality attractive contemporary food retail store for the local community".

Meanwhile Lidl has applied to build its own store on the opposite side of the road.

While the most recent applications for the developments were both submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in December 2021, a decision is not likely to be made on either any time soon.

Kenilworth Nub News understands the council has agreed with Aldi and Lidl not to determine their applications until the new local plan is adopted.

But the review of the plan by the planning inspectorate plan was paused earlier this month by SMBC "to enable the finalised version of the National Planning Policy Framework to be published" this spring.

Once it is complete though, the council's planning committee will then have to vote on the applications.

Lidl has applied to open a store on the opposite side of the road to Aldi (image via Lidl)

The projects are further complicated by how close the two proposed stores are to each other

SMBC planners have told both supermarkets to consider the impact of the other and create a "cumulative traffic assessment".

Aldi's application to SMBC says: "The scheme provides significant improvements to the street scene, maximizing the potential for the new local centre retail anchor store to function as an integral part of it.

"The scheme also recognizes the sensitive relationship with residential areas, through carefully conceived landscaping and boundary treatments; and pedestrian access routes into the site.

"The proposed development will strengthen the retail mix within Balsall Common, increase food store provision and help meet the retail needs of the resident local catchment area by enhancing consumer choice, in accordance with sustainability objectives.

"We believe the proposals represent a considered and sensitive response to the constraints of the site.

"The Aldi, 'deep discount' retail store provides an amenity to the local area, which is currently lacking, along with the creation of local jobs. Aldi looks forward to becoming a considerate neighbour and a valued part of the local community."

While Lidl's adds: "This proposal will be constructed to a high quality with sensitivity to the local environment, employing contemporary and sustainable design and materials to create an attractive, high quality building which is appropriate to its surrounding built environment.

"The proposal utilises its locality to ensure good accessibility and promote sustainable transport methods."

Aldi has also said nearby Warwick is a 'priority' location for a new store, despite having recently opened a new premises at Tachbrook Park Drive.