Lidl hints at appeal against Cheddar supermarket refusal

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 13:37 · Archive

Somerset Council rejected Lidl's plans for a supermarket in Cheddar, citing inadequate protection for local protected species.

Somerset Council rejected Lidl's application to build a new supermarket on the A371 Upper New Road in Cheddar in mid-October. The council's grounds for refusal were that the company had not done enough to show how local protected species would not be harmed by the development.

Lidl submitted plans in August 2025 for the store, which would have been sited opposite the Oak Park housing estate. More than 350 local residents submitted formal representations supporting the plans, which were expected to create up to 40 local jobs. The development would have included 127 parking spaces, including disabled spaces and two electric vehicle charging points, plus a covered bicycle parking area.

Lidl has expressed its disappointment at the refusal and indicated it is considering its options. The company has hinted that an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate could be lodged in the near future. SomersetLive notes that this is the second recent setback for the supermarket chain in Somerset, as it was also denied a new store in Bath last week.

How it is being reported

• 'Disappointed' Lidl considers appeal after new Somerset supermarket deniedIt says there was "overwhelming support from the local community"SomersetLive · 26 Oct, 12:52
• Refusal of new Lidl supermarket in Cheddar could be overturnedLidl has hinted it could lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate to overturn Somerset Council's refusal of a new store on Upper New RoadSomerset County Gazette · 26 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Lidl · Somerset Council · Cheddar · Planning Inspectorate · Taylor Wimpey

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem