A controversial plan to relocate a major supermarket has been recommended for refusal amid concerns it could damage the heart of a town’s shopping scene and create safety risks on a nearby main road.
Planning officers have advised that proposals by Lidl Great Britain Ltd to build a new food store on land at Stockley, near Okehampton, should be rejected following significant objections from consultees and concerns raised in a detailed committee report.
The application, submitted under reference 2354/25/FUL, seeks permission for a single-storey supermarket with parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure on a 1.12-hectare site to the east of the town.
If approved, the new store would replace Lidl’s existing town centre branch, increasing staff numbers from 23 to around 40 full and part-time roles.
However, officers have concluded that the scheme fails to meet key planning policy tests and could have a “significant adverse impact” on the vitality and viability of Okehampton town centre.
A central issue is the lack of sufficient evidence to justify moving the supermarket from its current central location to an out-of-town site. The report states that the applicant has not adequately demonstrated compliance with the required sequential test or provided a robust retail impact assessment.
Independent retail advice to the council suggests the relocation could lead to a loss of trade, reduced footfall and fewer linked shopping trips in the town centre. Estimates indicate a potential eight to 12 per cent reduction in convenience trade, excluding the existing Lidl store.
The proposals have also raised environmental concerns, including the loss of a lowland meadow habitat considered to be of local significance. Ecologists have recommended refusal, stating the harm to biodiversity would not be outweighed by the benefits of the development.
Highway safety has emerged as another major issue. National Highways has objected to the scheme, citing concerns about the proposed access near the A30 slip road and the potential for vehicle conflicts that could increase the risk of collisions.
Flood risk has also been highlighted, with insufficient information provided to demonstrate that the development would not increase surface water runoff or flood risk elsewhere.
In addition, officers warn the development could harm the landscape setting near Dartmoor National Park, with the introduction of a large commercial building and car park in a prominent location.
The proposal has generated strong local interest, with around 250 letters of support and approximately 55 objections submitted. Supporters argue the scheme could ease congestion in the town centre and improve access for residents in eastern areas, while objectors raise concerns about traffic, biodiversity and the impact on existing businesses.
Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council and Okehampton Town Council have both objected, citing policy conflicts, safety concerns and the availability of more suitable alternative sites.
Planning officers have ultimately concluded that, without clear justification and stronger supporting evidence, the proposal conflicts with both local and national planning policies designed to protect town centres and the surrounding environment.
A final decision will be made by councillors at a forthcoming development management and licensing committee meeting.
