TILBURY is set to get a new discount superstore after a decision by planning councillors this evening (Tuesday, 4 June) – a decision that has been welcomed almost universally in the town.

Councillors on Thurrock Council's planning committee gave a unanimous thumbs up for a new Lidl store to be built on the town's border – even though the bulk of the site, currently occupied by Bumbles Yard Horse Stables and other buildings on St Chad's Road, sits in the green belt.

More than 200 residents in the town had given their backing to the proposal and that was echoed by the chair of Tilbury's Community Forum who welcomed the application.

The application was presented to the meeting by planning officer Lucy Mannion, who said: "A departure from green belt policy is justified in this case, it is considered the mix of factors outweigh the harm to the green belt.

On behalf of the applicants, planning agent Katie Russell-Smith said: "The new store will have an acceptable impact on Tilbury centre. The new store will encourage more people to shop locally.

"It will not have an adverse impact on Tilbury Town centre.

"The overwhelming public support has been shown with hundreds of letters through the consultation process.

"The store will improve diversity of retail choice and will reduce the cost of a weekly shop by 30 per cent.

"Though the site is designated in the green belt, retail need should be afforded significant weight.

"And the investment into this site will help the regeneration aims in Tilbury. This offers special circumstances which outweigh any harm to the green belt.

"Design, layout and landscape significantly improves the appearance of the site. Any impact of noise to nearby residents will be mitigated by planting."

Craig Austin, chair of Tilbury Community Forum, spoke of the consultation by the applicant with residents, saying: "It's refreshing to see this level of engagement. We don't recall a development in Tilbury with this level of public support.

"There will be considerable economic benefits to our town, including 40 new jobs in Tilbury. It delivers a much-needed shopping option for Tilbury.

"Lidl's pricing model will be a great help to the residents facing food poverty.

"Many residents are excited by this opportunity. This isn't just a planning approval it's a vote of confidence in Tilbury Town."

Cllr Sue Shinnick raised concerns over flooding in the area, saying 'when it rains there are lots of puddles'.

Ms Mannion said: "The proposed design has storage tanks underground and then into nearby drain on the marshes. All of the drainage requirements of this site and the need of the flood authority are met.

"The environment agency has been closely involved in every stage of this application."

Committee member Steve Taylor, the non-voting representative of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), raised the issue of the plot as it is today, which he said was an illegal one.

He told the meeting there were five homes comprising caravans and a three-bed detached bungalow and said: "I just hope that there is provision made for these people.

The site on St Chad's Road.

"None of the people living on it are lawful it's not the responsibility of the council to take care of them". But he wondered what would become of the families on the site.

Ms Mannion acknowledged it was potentially difficult situation, saying: "I know it sounds awful but I've searched through all of the records of the site and there are no records about them. It's all an illegal development."

Cllr Steve Liddiard was an enthusiastic about the scheme and he picked up on a 'promise' made by Lidl, saying: "Lidl said they were OK with mums picking up their kids at the Gateway schools using the car park to ease congestion."

Ms Mannion attempted to play down the weight of the pledge, saying: "It's not something we could control by planning but I would very much hope they would honour this."

Cllr Liddiard then got 'a nod' from Ms Russell-Smith and said: "This will be really useful!"

Cllr Cathy Sisterson, who also completement the scheme even though she has been an avid supporter of opposing green belt development in the borough previously, but she raised the issue of putting additional electric vehicle charging points on the site.

Transport officer Julian Howes responded by saying: "We would expect Lidl to be proactive when the needs occur."

Cllr Sue Shinnick said: "All I've got to say is it's a great scheme, it's bringing 40 jobs to Tilbury, it's something we go along with. It's about time Tilbury had some good stuff

Where the store will be built.

Cllr Liddiard added: "It's going to make a huge difference to the economic situation in Tilbury. It's welcome.

"I know part of the site is green belt but I believe there are very special circumstances that outweigh harm to the green belt. I'm sad to see the homes disappearing but I am very much in favour."

And Cllr Paul Arnold added: "I am very supportive of this scheme, it's very pleasing. I'm all for it."

The last word when to Mr Taylor who said: "My view I will always object to anything that goes into the green belt but given the amount of support it's got I can see the logic in it.

"I have a problem with the weighting given to the issues, but in this case I'll just call it quits."

The application was approved, subject to referral to the planning inspectorate because it is in the green belt.