The company says the development in Marsh Lane, Stanmore will boost the local economy and create 40 new jobs, but residents have started a petition opposing the plan, which has already been signed by more than 460 people.
The German supermarket chain, which is planning several other new openings in London this year including in Wimbledon and Orpington, has announced that it is preparing to submit a planning application to Harrow Council.
The site currently comprises the former gas works, which is disused. Due to the presence of below-ground services, it is not possible to develop on half of the land, which Aldi claims means it is “not suitable or practical” for housing.
The plans include a sales area of over 1,300 square metres, 102 parking spaces, including accessible and parent-and-child bays, and several electric vehicle charging points.
The Aldi store would sit on the site of the former Marsh Lane gas works in Stanmore, which is currently disused. Image: Aldi
Before it submits the application, Aldi is conducting a consultation process to gauge the views of the community. If approved, the company claims the new store would provide an investment of £7 million to the local economy, as well as creating up to 40 new full-time equivalent jobs.
Aldi’s planning proposal states: “A new store at this site would improve the local retail offering and ensure that the local community has access to Aldi’s award-winning range of low-cost, high-quality products.”
However, a change.org petition describes the proposal as “ill-conceived” and believes it will “bring more problems than benefits”, including increased traffic, more pollution, and a rise in antisocial behaviour. The petition has been signed by 464 people at the time of writing.
It reads: “As long-term residents of Stanmore, we’ve witnessed the transformation of Marsh Lane, once a peaceful street, into a bustling traffic hub. Our concerns are now escalating exponentially with the proposed construction of a new Aldi supermarket in Marsh Lane.”
It adds: “The consequence of more cars on the road will not only choke the traffic but also dramatically escalate the concentration of air pollution in the area. With traffic density on the road already holding us at ransom, the addition of a supermarket at such a location seems to be adding fuel to the fire.
“We all love Aldi for its affordability and quality. Still, the proposed location on Marsh Lane may very well turn an already busy road into a permanent gridlocked nightmare – tolerance has its limit. We must preserve some tranquillity, our health, and our community.”
Aldi has stated that the development will incorporate sustainable design features, such as landscaping to improve biodiversity and measures to reduce the environmental impact. The closest Aldi stores to the site are currently located in Kingsbury and Colindale, which the supermarket claims are “increasingly popular and busy”.
The consultation period will be open for residents to comment from January 20 until February 2. Aldi will also be hosting an in-person public exhibition event on January 21 at St William of York Church in Stanmore between 3pm and 7pm.
