Councillors have voted unanimously against a huge development that could have brought a Lidl to south Middlesbrough.

ML Retail was seeking the green light for its plans to build nine new units of varying sizes on an empty grassy area on Low Lane, near where the road crosses the A174. There are plans for Lidl to take over one of the units, as well as a drive-thru and a variety store that could be a Home Bargains or B&M.

However, councillors followed the officers’ recommendation to refuse the scheme over concerns about access and its impact on other nearby shopping centres.

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The council’s planning department is worried that the Low Lane project will negatively impact the planned investment in the Coulby Newham District Centre, which includes the Parkway Centre, and the shops proposed as part of the Stainsby Country Park masterplan.

Highways concerns raised by the council’s head of planning Paul Clarke included increased congestion around the site, potential parking issues, cars queuing on the main road from the drive-thru and the lack of pedestrian access to some of the units without having to cross a car park. He added: “It’s not an attractive environment for pedestrians and cyclists.”

The Northern Echo: Low Lane. Picture: LDRSLow Lane. Picture: LDRS (Image: LDR)

Independent Cllr Joan McTigue said: “It’s entirely in the wrong place. The traffic is a nightmare it’s only going to make that absolutely horrendous. The drive-thru is too close to the main road.”

Labour’s Cllr Janet Thompson said she was concerned about delivery vehicles at the site potentially blocking the main road. While Conservative Cllr David Coupe was worried about access for those who live south of the development.

Middlesbrough Independent Group councillor Carolyn Dodds, who represents Trimdon ward where the development is proposed, was also against the proposals. She said: “I do think the transport situation would be diabolical. The people in the new builds want somewhere they can walk to the shops.”

She went on to add: “The shopping precinct that will hopefully be built (as part of the Stainsby masterplan) will serve the people that live there. They won’t need to endanger their lives crossing that busy road. It is a total danger.”

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Mr Clarke also told the committee that there would be minimal green space at the site and the scheme would not blend in with the surroundings. While up to 98 full-time jobs could be created at the site, Mr Clarke said this would not outweigh his other concerns.

Property company Savills’ Brad Wiseman, on behalf of the developer, claimed the council was sent more information on August 11 about contributions for highways mitigation schemes and sustainable transport infrastructure which he did not feel were reflected in the council’s report. However, Mr Clarke believes the council report was accurate and robust enough.

One key issue for the local authority was the Low Lane project’s potential impact on the planned investment in the Coulby Newham District Centre.

Mr Wiseman said that he did not believe that the retail area around the Parkway Centre in Coulby Newham could reasonably adopt its plans. However, Mr Clarke does not think the developer has been flexible enough when considering this.

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Therefore, one of the reasons the council recommended refusal was because the developer failed to convince the council that the plans couldn’t be carried out there.

Proposals are in the pipeline to expand the offering in Coulby Newham, which could see retailer The Range open. Chris Martin, who works for consultancy Pegasus Group on behalf of Evolve Estates, which owns the Coulby Newham District Centre, is opposed to the plans.

He believes the impact of the Low Lane scheme on the shops in Coulby Newham had been underestimated and it would prejudice the planned investment there.

All nine councillors at the planning committee meeting voted against the proposals.

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