Tesco to challenge plans for new Horley Lidl store in the courts

The supermarket giant has submitted a request for a judicial review against Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s decision to grant planning permission that would allow Lidl to relocate its Horley branch. It is the second time a major store has taken on the discount retailer over the move, after Waitrose weighed in against plans to convert the locally listed Air Balloon pub in Brighton Road into a 1,800 square metre store, with parking for up to 82 cars. Fighting its corner, Lidl has written to residents to rally support for the low cost supermarket.

Fighting its corner, Lidl has written to residents to rally support for the low cost supermarket. Adam Forsdick, regional head of property, said: “Lidl exists to provide all households with access to good food at the best value prices. For the communities we serve, we understand the importance of a convenient discount supermarket within the area and we know that this threat to a new Lidl store for Horley will come as a huge blow to many.”

“We strongly disagree with their position and believe that these actions are only in the interest of Tesco and not the wider community. We are therefore pleased that the council has sought to defend its decision.”

As part Lidl’s plans to relocate from its not-fit-for-purpose town centre site, the store conducted public consultation. It sent 12,750 leaflets and posted an online survey – getting 2,183 responses, with 91.5 per cent coming out in favour, the store said. The letter to residents read: “I am writing to update you on the proposals which were granted planning permission.

“Our proposal received an overwhelming show of support from around 2,000 members of the community, including yourself, and I would like to take the opportunity to extend our sincere thanks.

“Unfortunately, this decision to approve the new store, which was made by your elected councillors, has now been legally challenged by Tesco.

“We are pleased that Reigate and Banstead Council will defend their decision, but if Tesco is successful this will once again place the future of Lidl in Horley at risk.

“As a discount supermarket, we exist to provide households with access to good food at the best value prices.

“For the communities we serve, we understand the importance of a convenient discount supermarket within the area, and we know that this threat to a new Lidl store for Horley will come as a huge blow to many.

“We would like to reassure you that we remain fully committed to bringing these new store proposals, but clearly this is likely to cause some delay and could ultimately impact our long-term presence in the town.”

During the planning committee meeting, Mr Forsdick said Lidl would need to relocate or leave Horley as it as it could not guarantee that it could continue trading out of its current site and highlighted recent closures of underperforming branches in the south including Canterbury, Gosport and Camberley.

A spokesperson for Reigate and Banstead Borough Council said it was aware that Tesco has submitted a request for a judicial review and that it would “seek to defend” its decision.

The plans, which are now under challenge, were passed by nine votes to two, despite council officers recommending they be refused.

Tesco has been contacted for its response.