19 Apr 2026
Plans for a new Lidl store have been called in by a district councillor because of the impact on traffic and parking in the surrounding area.
The supermarket giant is proposing to build a new supermarket at Brick Knoll Park, on Ashley Road, in St Albans following a recent community consultation.
They claim more than 90 per cent of respondents support a new Lidl store in the city, saying it would bring new jobs, improved accessibility and increased shopping choice in that part of the city.
The multi-million pound investment would transform the vacant brownfield site, and would include plans for rapid electric vehicle charging points, bicycle parking, and dedicated disabled and parent-and-child parking bays. Solar panels on the store roof would also help to provide energy for the store.
But Hill End ward councillor Anthony Rowlands has called in the plans, highlighting the location of a large retail outlet in an employment zone outside of existing retail centres, the effect of customer vehicles on Ashley Road traffic flows – part of the St Albans ring road; and the effect of additional traffic on parking in the wider area – already under pressure especially from Post Office employees as there is no parking for them at the Post Office’s Brick Knoll Park area sorting office.
This is a formal process allowing a local ward councillor to request that a planning application, normally decided by officers, be determined instead by the elected planning committee.
A planning application has now been submitted to SADC, and residents can comment using the reference number 5/2026/0486 on St Albans’ online planning portal. All comments left before May 16 will be read and considered by the council’s planning team.
Kate Bleloch, regional head of property at Lidl GB, said: “Thank you to everyone who came out and shared their feedback with us. After speaking with residents, we know households in St Albans need better access to our great value and quality products. We’re excited to have officially submitted our plans and look forward to a planning decision so we can deliver this new store.”
