Councillors to decide on plans for Lidl on site of North Hykeham restaurant

Controversial plans to demolish a former Chinese restaurant in North Hykeham to make way for a Lidl supermarket are set to be determined later this month.

As previously reported, the discount supermarket has applied to build the new two-storey store on the site of the former Ocean Chinese Restaurant and Takeaway off Newark Road.

An access road would be created from Newark Road into the 113-space car park, and a section of Newark Road would also be widened to create a right-turn lane for traffic from the north.

The application indicates that 38 jobs will be created – 10 full-time and 28 part-time.

The proposed new Lidl supermarket in North Hykeham.

Design proposals from the supermarket outline: “The proposed food store would not have an adverse impact on the health of existing centres and would cater for local needs.”

Lincoln firm John Roberts Architects are behind the designs, which are said to be contemporary, with a “clean, modern experience.”

Officers for North Kesteven District Council have recommended that the development is approved subject to work beginning on the site within three years.

If approved, this would be the third Lidl in and around Lincoln, joining established stores on Dixon Street and at the Carlton Centre.

Photo: Google Street View

The scheme has attracted objections from some, including North Hykeham Town Council, who have argued that traffic flow will be increased, the safety of schoolchildren will be put in jeopardy, and traffic will be congested in and out of the access point onto a road that already has tailbacks from Asda to the Forum.

One local resident added: “I am concerned at the increased traffic that this development will bring. This section of Newark Road is already always gridlocked from 3.00pm until approximately 6.30pm on weekdays and practically all day at a weekend until 6.00pm.

“North Hykeham does not need another supermarket. Within a mile radius of the site is an Asda, two Co-ops, Spar, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Netto, Aldi and small grocers such as McColls.”

Councillors on North Kesteven District Council’s Planning Committee will decide whether to approve the development at a meeting on Tuesday, January 26.