Doubts have been raised over whether a discount supermarket chain will ever open after being listed for sale. The Weston Coyney Lidl only got planning permission in October last year and is now on the market with a guide price of £1.2 million.

The site is listed in the national disposal list for Lidl and is being marketed by FHP; a commercial estate agent based in Nottingham. In the marketing material it is claimed the site on Weston Coyney Road is available immediately and would suit a residential or care home.

During planning the controversial application received objections from both the Co-op and Tesco. Objections were also received from 28 individuals. Many of the objections related to the impact of increased traffic and the location would be inappropriate for a shop.

Plans for a new Lidl store in Weston Coyney were approved in October last year (Lidl).

Speaking on the site being listed for sale, Weston Coyney resident Craig Mullan said: "In one sense I'm glad because I didn't think having a Lidl there in the first place was a good thing but it all depends on what comes next really."

The increase in traffic was a concern for some residents. Leanne Fitzgerald who lives on Coppice Grove said: "It just worries me a little with all the traffic, whether lorries and stuff will come up this road or maybe park. It's not that big a site really but it would have been handy to have a shop here."

The new Lidl store was expected to bring 40 new jobs to the area with 80 per cent of the recruited from the local area. The application was also subject to a section 106 agreement of £53,125 as a contribution towards biodiversity net gain which was payable before development commenced.

The new Lidl store was expected to bring 40 new jobs to the area (Google).

A spokesperson for Lidl said: "Since first acquiring the site and submitting planning permission, customer demand for Lidl has increased and to support our sustainable growth we now require a bigger site. Therefore, we're actively searching for a new location and have put the Weston Coyney Rd site on the market to unlock it for future use, instead of holding onto it."

------------

READ MORE: New Stoke-on-Trent eatery given green light to open roof terrace

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.