Pinhoe Aldi could be demolished

It would make way for a bigger store.

The scheme would see the demolition of the garage building to the north-east and the existing Aldi food store, which was built in 2005, and the construction of a new Aldi food store and car park in its place.

The new Aldi would have a larger retail floor area and the reconfigured car park will provide 102 customer spaces, 40 more than at present, including 5 spaces for disabled users and 9 parent and child designated spaces.

Entrance to the site by car would move further north-east along the access road so as to improve separation and visibility with the proposed E4 cycle link works to Exhibition Way, where there would also be a separate pedestrian access.

A planning and retail statement with the application adds: “Aldi is in the process of upgrading its existing stores to ensure that they continue to meet customer expectations and shopping habits. The proposed replacement store is required to improve efficiency and operations at the store, relieve parking pressures, and provide better shopping facilities for customers.

“The larger stores will be used to provide a larger sales area and improved warehousing and staff welfare areas, and will include additional tills, wider aisles and an increased range of goods.

“The car park is currently operating over capacity for the proposals would provide much needed additional parking spaces and alleviate existing pressures.

“The proposed replacement Aldi store will have economic benefits in respect of securing jobs and creating new jobs, while ensuring the scheme integrates with its existing surroundings,” with the documents adding that an additional seven staff would be employed at the new larger store

Exeter City Council planners will determine the fate of the application at a later date, as they will with plans for Exeter’s third Lidl on the site at Pinbrook Road, just metres away from where there is already Sainsbury’s, as well as the Aldi.