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Aldi

Posted: Sat 11 Feb, 2017 5:34 pm
by Steve
The Mercury are reporting that Aldi have purchased The Consumers Association site on Gascoyne Way.

Whilst I would welcome an Aldi, I think getting planning permission for a site which is arguably out-of-town might be an issue. I can see the Town Council having reservations. On the other hand, traders in St.Andrew Street might welcome it, as it could increase passing trade significantly.

http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/a ... story.html

Re: Aldi

Posted: Sun 04 Jun, 2017 7:10 pm
by Steve
I assume everyone in Hertford has received this questionnaire in the post
aldi_questionnaire.jpg
aldi_questionnaire.jpg (78.49KiB)Viewed 16535 times

Re: Aldi

Posted: Mon 05 Jun, 2017 9:39 am
by codek2
no, we didn't, thanks for posting. Anything interesting inside?

Re: Aldi

Posted: Tue 06 Jun, 2017 8:26 pm
by SloopJohnB
Well the Mercury have done a survey and they think its a good idea. Sort of. Although their survey does appear to be evenly split but what are headlines for anyway.
http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/h ... story.html

By 2019 we will have lost Waitrose; a couple more hundred homes or more will have been built and none of the existing supermarkets will be big enough to cater for the increasing population. Might need Aldi and a Lidl as well.

Re: Aldi

Posted: Wed 07 Jun, 2017 9:54 am
by newgirl
We didn't get this and we live in Castle ward. I note it will create 50 jobs but how many jobs will Which lose?

Re: Aldi

Posted: Wed 07 Jun, 2017 11:06 am
by SloopJohnB
newgirl - to quote from the Aldi booklet: Which? has already decided to relocate, as the site is no longer suitable for them, due to the significant flood risk and underutilised space. They add: ' To overcome flooding issues the store footprint is smaller than the existing building and will be raised up by approximately 1m so it is clear of the flood level.'

As to a net gain/loss of jobs - I've no idea how many local people work for Which? and conversely how many local people will get a job at Aldi. Depends on the commute factor really although I think in the original article Which? said something about a desire to remain in the locality.

Re: Aldi

Posted: Sat 15 Jul, 2017 1:42 pm
by Steve
A formal planning application has now been submitted.

Re: Aldi

Posted: Mon 24 Jul, 2017 1:38 pm
by SloopJohnB
As I completed their resident leaflet just sent me an email with this link to the Planning page.

https://publicaccess.eastherts.gov.uk/o ... 8H6GLHHM00

Re: Aldi

Posted: Tue 25 Jul, 2017 10:53 am
by highwood38
I like their optimism for the streetscape - lots of people wandering around the A414 like it's a park!

https://publicaccess.eastherts.gov.uk/o ... 129893.pdf

Re: Aldi

Posted: Thu 03 Aug, 2017 10:55 am
by SloopJohnB
Not going too well for Aldi on the basis of this guidance from Planing policy desk

https://publicaccess.eastherts.gov.uk/o ... 140681.pdf

As I see it there are two or three problems. This area is designated B1 or B2 - Office/Light industrial. A retail unit would not be welcome as the overall East Herts plan looks for additional office space in Hertford/Ware/Stortford. It will mean the loss of 170 jobs and only gain 50 as feared by newgirl. They do mention the impact of road use and then the sequential test - this will draw people away from the town centre. If they hadn't built Gascoyne Way this would be in the town centre. However enough flights of fancy.

It was not so long ago that Tesco wanted to expand, always overtrading and Sainsburys own application subject to much scrutiny about impact on the town. However with Waitrose gone and housing going up all over the place like chicken pox there is not much in the way of large stores to satisfy the very growing demand. Planning mention the Vision and Design Strategy and the Bircherley Green development plans. But Aldi were offered the space and turned it down because they wanted parking on the flat. The first plans submitted had plenty of parking on the flat, a large foodstore and even more parking underground. As we know this was thrown out because a)Waitrose did not see this as a viable proposal b) the bus station couldn't be moved and c) the whole thing was put on ice as it was expected Waitrose would move to Van Hages. Ironically it was the sequential test about the impact on Ware, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne that was one of the main reasons that the application failed. That and new born lambs gambolling over the Green Belt.

Not surprisingly apart from one or two neutrals public support for Aldi is overwhelming but since when did that make any difference.