Aldi plans change for ‘new’ Milnsbridge store

Jun 15 2009 By Henryk Zientek

SUPERMARKET chain Aldi has tabled plans for major alterations to the former Somerfield store in Milnsbridge.

Aldi closed the store at Scar Lane last month and plans to re-open it in about six months time following the alterations.

An application submitted to Kirklees Council planning department calls for the building to be extended to provide an enclosed loading bay, changing the layout of the service yard and increasing the number of car parking spaces by six to 85.

A new pedestrian route to the store will be opened up by cutting back into a grass embankment fronting Scar Lane to provide more space at the store entrance.

The boundaries and car park will be landscaped with a new retaining wall to the embankment. Cycle parking will also be provided.

The new entrance will include a glass canopy which will also act as a shelter for the trolley bays and a sun screen to the store entrance.

A report to planners said a "modest" increase in floorspace was proposed for the site, but added: "The store will remain an appropriate scale for its location."

The store has almost 16,000sq ft of retail space and occupies more than 16,600sq ft in total.