Residents in south west London are worried that the appearance of discount supermarket chain Lidl could cause property prices to “plummet.”

Objections to the new store at the former Wickes DIY site on South Road Twickenham also included claims “selling alcohol on the site may lead to antisocial behaviour and drinking in the car park,” as well as concerns about an increase in traffic and pollution. 

However, supporters claimed there would not be so many objections if this was for a higher end supermarket:

Ms Nicki Wyss commented: “There are a lot of families on nearby estates that would financially benefit from having a Lidl store close by and so I strongly feel this needs to happen. What an opportunity, please don’t miss it! We’ve been waiting a long time for this to happen!”

The new store in Twickenham scraped through approval after Richmond Council’s chair cast a deciding vote in favour last night (October 9).

The two planning applications for the Twickenham site were passed 5-4, and 4-4 (with the chair’s deciding vote), subject to a legal agreement for the funding of improvements to a signal-controlled junction at a nearby crossroad to ease traffic. 

But plans to build a new Lidl in Manorgate Road were rejected by nearby Kingston council after concerns about the impact on the local area’s home zone, which is primarily designed to meet the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, as well as the wider highways network.

More than 392 residents opposed the plans and many filled the gallery at last night’s Development Control Committee.

Representatives from the Manorgate and Carlisle Road Association,  Nick Pratelli and Lucy Pollard, submitted a 48-page report on their reasons for objecting.

They said they commissioned an independent transport consultant who raised “significant concerns over safety and the capacity of the transport network to accommodate the extra traffic,” on an already congested road.

A representative for Lidl said the store will “provide an increase in employment and the economic benefits of the scheme are a significant material consideration,” but struggled to be heard over the shouts in the public gallery.

After two hours of questioning and debate councillors decided to reject the plans by eight votes to two.

Cllr Rowena Bass, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, said it was a “disappointing use of the site” while Cllr Rebekah Moll added she would not have refused on height alone, but that the projections for the numbers of extra cars “do not fit with the reality of the day to day situation,” in such a congested area.