Bigger Lidl store and 20 new jobs agreed

Plans agreed on Tuesday means the existing Lidl building and the former J and G Blands garage will be demolished and replaced with a larger supermarket and car park.

Floorspace will increase from 888 to 1,422sqm and 20 new full-time jobs will be created.

In February, a similar plan by Lidl was rejected due to the new building’s proximity to Perrots Road and because the proposal failed to demonstrate the “need for additional retail floorspace in Haverfordwest”.

However, the new plans, which will see the supermarket moved two metres back from Perrots Road, have been approved.

“Today we must be sending out the right message to any developer that comes to Haverfordwest,” said planning committee chairman, Peter Stock.

The main entrance to the new supermarket will be on Thomas Parry Way with a pedestrian access off Perrots Road.

A new car parking area will be created with 122 spaces.

The store will be a predominantly single-storey building, with a section of first-floor office space.

The council ruled that the scheme will improve an area of Haverfordwest by removing two “undistinguished” buildings and replacing them with a new purpose-built store.

Council planning officer Ceri Jones said developers have made significant alterations to address concerns from the initial proposal.

“This design looks significantly better than what was submitted in February,” he said. “The proposed store will be sunk into the ground 3.9 metres.

“The two-metre difference [between the road and supermarket] will allow for landscaping and traffic safety measures.

“We have looked at other sites, but concluded that this will be the most accessible.”

Developers have been in close contact with the council to ensure latest proposal is suitable. The eastern side of the building (facing the town centre) will have glazing and stone cladding.

There will also be a sloped roof, rising west to east, so large parts of the roof will not be visible from Perrots Road and the town centre.