Lidl bids for store in suburb

Discount store giant Lidl has revealed new plans to build a supermarket in a respectable Wolverhampton suburb.

The cut-price chain, which already has shops in Wednesfield and Bilston, wants to expand its city empire to include a branch on the former site of Castlecroft Garage in Finchfield.

Their bid is set to spark uproar from residents who successfully fought off two bids by two other major stores to develop the site, which has long been a target for vandals.

Previously Marks & Spencer and Waitrose sought planning permission to launch shops.

Plans for a housing development also fizzled out due to stiff opposition from locals.

The site, vacant since Castlecroft Garage moved to Ivetsy Bank in Wheaton Aston in May 2004, was bought by Lidl last year from Bentley Homes after its £4.5 million housing scheme was rejected.

The concerns of residents involve fears on the affect on neighbouring small shops, over-development, additional traffic and parking problems in the area.

Tettenhall Wightwick Councillor Wendy Thompson said today it was "highly unlikely" Lidl's bid would be welcomed.

She said: "News of Lidl's interest in the site has come from its headquarters in Solihull. I understand a public consultation meeting will take place in the neighbourhood next Tuesday.

"But residents were extremely unhappy about the previous two supermarkets and I don't think they will change their view.

"There has been an application granted in the past for residential development on the site and that would be people's preference.

"There were a lot of objections to the supermarket plans before and people were absolutely vehement in that - they opposed them extremely vigorously."

A public meeting will be at Uplands Junior School in Finchfield Road West on Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm.

A presentation on the plans by Lidl will begin at 6.30pm.

By Nick Pritchard