Discount supermarket wars have broken out in Ryde after rumours Aldi would take over the threatened Neutrik factory led to opposition from a rival.
Those rumours appeared to have been scuppered as an application to vary the use of the site in Westridge — to allow a retail element to the buildings on Cothey Way — has now been withdrawn.
Objection from Lidl
Among the objectors to the proposal, however, were Aldi’s discount supermarket competitor, Lidl, who felt the move was a way of securing a site in Ryde ‘by sleight of hand’.
In a letter to the Isle of Wight council, by RPS Consulting Services (RPS) on behalf of Lidl, they said they believed the request to widen the use of the building, was ‘merely a prelude’ to Neutrik leaving the site and selling it for redevelopment for a new retail store.
Concerned about the way Aldi might secure the site
They said Lidl believed there was a need for a store like itself or Aldi in the Ryde area, but was concerned if this was the way Aldi was going to secure a site in the town.
RPS said planning policy must be applied fairly and uniformly and for any large retail development that should mean addressing the sequential and impact tests, but in this instance, none had been submitted.
Lidl’s representative also argued it was the wrong type of planning permission so they could not make the changes requested without opening itself up to legal challenge.
Moving production to Europe
The future of the Neutrik site remains undecided as staff — who are facing redundancy — are being consulted on the manufacturing business’s future on the Island after proposals were revealed to move production to mainland Europe.
A week after the consultation was announced, the application was lodged with the Isle of Wight Council to change the use of the building, which would allow business agility in years to come says the documents.
Neutrik: Focused on consultation
Neutrik was contacted to find out why the application was withdrawn, but said it remained focused on the ongoing consultation process with company personnel and would not make any further announcement until that was complete.
An objection to the application had also been submitted by Nettlestone and Seaview Parish Council.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
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