New Aldi supermarket in Luton narrowly approved after committee chairman uses casting vote

Aldi expects to create the equivalent of 40 full-time jobs on the former bowling green at Venue 360, off Gipsy Lane.

And the supermarket chain says it could still open a branch nearby on Luton Town Football Club's Power Court development.

The application was opposed by 2020 Developments Luton, which has been targeting the site for an indoor sports dome.

Such a scheme would provide an elite academy for the Hatters at the former Vauxhall Recreation Centre.

The borough council's development control committee initially considered the store proposals last January.

Planning permission was approved in April, again on the casting vote of committee chairman and Labour Farley councillor Dave Taylor.

But the project was referred to a full council meeting by Liberal Democrat group leader and Barnfield councillor David Franks, where it was rejected.

It returned to the committee, while planning officers and the applicant continued to reassess a way forward for the scheme.

The Aldi store was originally recommended for refusal because it would be contrary to planning policy for developing open space.

Opposing cases to approve and to refuse the development were prepared in a report to the committee, and the local authority took legal advice after last month's deferral of the plans.

Councillors voted four in favour and four against, at last night's (Weds 26th) meeting, before councillor Taylor exercised his right to decide the outcome, subject to any further legal challenge.

The land stopped being used for bowls in 2000 and later got permission to be used for parking.

Planning team leader Clive Inwards told the committee the application would involve the demolition of a vacant pavilion building.

"The applicant says Aldi's requirement is immediate," he explained. "It would allow the store to open within a year.

"Power Court is a mixed use scheme. There is a significant amount of preparatory work required to the site which cannot be underestimated.

"A late objection has been received today on behalf of campaign group Save Our Town," he said.

"In summary, the group considers it the wrong type of development in the wrong location.

"The proposal would jeopardise the development of Power Court."

The scheme includes 108 car parking spaces, cycle storage and landscaping.

Applicant Ian Jackson, of Hampton Brook (UK) Limited, said granting planning permission would ensure the survival of Venue 360 for the local community and retain around 80 jobs.

An Aldi representative said: "We would certainly consider Power Court.

"The idea we wouldn't look there is not true. Go up to Aylesbury and you'll see two of our stores trading very well.

"It's not just about geography. It's about catchment and how many residents there are.

"We will consider any site at the moment. We're building one store every week and are actively looking for sites."

Summing up, councillor Taylor, who moved approval of the plans, said: "It's been a long journey. It feels like a marathon, not a sprint."

Moments later the committee was split down the middle, until the chairman made his decisive intervention.