Residents in Philadelphia, Houghton-le-Spring have today received notice of proposals to build a new Aldi store as they are invited to a virtual public exhibition.

A leaflet detailing plans for the 1,140sqm site has been posted through the letterboxes of nearby homes, inviting them to an online public consultation from August 21 to September 4.

The £5m development is also set to include a 100-space car park, attractive landscaping and create additional employment opportunities during its construction, which will be built beside a new Persimmon housing development. Said development is still ongoing.

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The Northern Echo: Leaflet given to locals in Philadelphia near Houghton-le-Spring.

The leaflet states: “The Philadelphia Lane masterplan benefits from the grant of hybrid planning permission, with full planning permission to refurbish some listed buildings on the Philadelphia complex and outline consent for housing, a food store, other retail facilities and the creation of an employment zone.

“Aldi is aware that many customers in the local area travel further afield for their weekly shop, due to a lack of discount supermarkets nearby.

“Aldi’s plan to deliver a conveniently located discount food store would ensure access to low-cost, high-quality products, provided for existing and new communities in the Northern part of the Coalfields area”.

Online, the reaction from locals has been mixed, as many have pointed out an apparent lack of schools and GP surgeries in the area as they claim the land could have been used differently.

One resident said: “I wonder if the people who are looking at buying a house there are checking for schools, docs and dentists as there are very few spaces at any.

The Northern Echo: Leaflet given to locals in Philadelphia near Houghton-le-Spring.

“Also traffic is horrendous up there at busy times so putting a supermarket there will make it 10 times worse. It's not like we are desperate for more supermarkets and the local independent shops will suffer.”

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Another resident in Philadelphia told The Northern Echo they are “frustrated” with the plans as they claim a new shop is not needed.

He said: “I don’t think a new supermarket is something the area needs at the moment, as there is already the Lidl in Houghton-le-Spring and a new Tesco that is already being built on the site of the Houghton Colliery.

“I am frustrated because it feels like there are so many other ways the land could have been used, for a new school of GP surgery perhaps that would be massively useful.”