Lidl has submitted a formal objection to Aldi’s planning application to redevelop the former Neutrik site on Brading Road, Ryde.
Lidl’s representation, prepared by planning consultants Carney Sweeney, sets out several reasons why Aldi’s proposal should not receive approval.
Concern over impact on Pennyfeathers housing development
Lidl argues that Aldi’s plans threaten progress on the Pennyfeathers development, which sits in the emerging Island Planning Strategy.
Lidl highlights the need for over 700 new homes per year in the revised draft plan and stresses that the council must protect and support allocated housing sites. The objection states that Pennyfeathers requires a neighbourhood hub with community and commercial space.
Lidl says that a store on the Pennyfeathers site will help deliver the new access road and enable the housing site to proceed.
Lidl: Aldi did not consider planned investment properly
Lidl claims that Aldi’s retail assessment only considers impact on Ryde and Sandown town centres.
The objection says Aldi did not assess the effect of their proposal on the planned investment at Pennyfeathers. Lidl states that the National Planning Policy Framework requires applicants to look at planned investment.
The objection challenges Aldi’s conclusion that the emerging Island Planning Strategy holds “no weight”.
Employment land
Lidl’s objection also points out that Aldi’s plan removes almost 4,000m² of employment floorspace.
Lidl refers to draft policy that resists loss of employment land where sites exceed 0.1 hectares.
The Pennyfeathers site currently does not have a live planning application for a retail unit.
What happens next
The Isle of Wight Council will consider Lidl’s objection alongside other responses before reaching a decision on Aldi’s application.
According to the council’s planning register, the public consultation on the Aldi application (25/01012/FUL) closes on Friday 5th December 2025. A decision is expected by 12th December 2025.
