Plans to partially demolish Birmingham shopping centre spark optimism

Plans were lodged by Lidl to bulldoze part of Northfield Shopping Centre, with the particular application site most recently occupied by Wilko and currently vacant.

The proposals also included a new pedestrian walkway and ‘public realm improvements’ between the retained part of the shopping centre and the store to connect Victoria Common and Bristol Road South.

A council officer said the plans would “contribute positively to the vibrancy and vitality of the Northfield neighbourhood centre”.

But Birmingham councillors were concerned about landscaping, the potential impact on Victoria Common and why demolition was necessary during a meeting earlier this year.

The committee voted to refuse the proposals but Lidl launched a successful appeal which now means the plans are set to go ahead.

“I’m a supporter of the development,” Northfield MP Laurence Turner said following the update. 

“I think it will help give new life to the north end of the high street and attract new tenants into the Grosvenor.”

Several residents were also optimistic on social media, with Julie Earp describing it as “absolutely fabulous news”.

She said: “I hope it gets built soon.

“It will create needed and wanted jobs and improve the look of the area – it can only be a good thing in my opinion.”

Paul Stokes said: “Excellent news, Northfield in need of a fresh injection of positivity.”

Eileen O'Keeffe said: “There's a big problem with litter, also the general decay of the area. 

“Such a shame, hopefully Lidl will bring some footfall to Northfield again.”

Another person said: “Should have been approved from day one. 

“Common sense prevailed.”

But the plans have also attracted concerns from residents, with some questioning whether they were a missed opportunity.

Rachel Hinton wrote: “I’m not against having a Lidl by any means but what’s wrong with the building and car park that are already there? Can’t they be used?”

The Save Station Street campaign said on X, formerly Twitter: “Look, I love a Lidl bakery aisle run as much as anyone (probably more) but in Barcelona this’d have dozens of flats above it housing a hundred people.

“All the parking would be underground. Most of its customers would be on foot and it would be infinitely better.”

Meanwhile Martyn Ingham said on Facebook: “The last thing Northfield needs is another grocery outlet.”

The planning inspectorate, which allowed the appeal, said the proposed development would be a “significant improvement on the building it would replace”.

It said: “The car park and pedestrian link would provide a visual and physical link to Victoria Common, strengthening the local sense of place.

“Further improvements could be secured through planning conditions.”

Councillor Gareth Moore also supported the application during the planning meeting this year, saying: “The site is vacant and we want supermarkets located in local centres.

“I see no reason to reject this application, we recently had a Lidl store in Erdington open and it’s been very successful and very popular.”

During the same meeting, a council officer reminded the committee there would be a link retained between Victoria Common and Bristol Road South.

“There is a condition that will control how that’s designed exactly in terms of landscaping and to ensure it’s inviting,” she said at the time.

She added the proposals were for a brownfield site, describing it as a “sustainable location with lots of public transport links in place”.

The report published ahead of the meeting said the proposals would provide a new discount shopping option for the community, create jobs and be a “notable enhancement” to the area’s character.

A Lidl spokesman said earlier this month: “The new store represents our continued investment in Birmingham and the wider area and will create up to 40 new jobs when the store opens.

“Thank you to the community for their continued patience and support as we work to bring this store to the area.

“We now plan to discharge conditions with the council and will continue to keep residents informed as the development moves forward.”