We would like the council planning committee to reject the planning application. Fitness First Stirchley is viable and offers a fitness facility to the local community, where there are already a number of Supermarkets within easy reach.
Why is this important?
On 22nd December 2016 Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee approved Lidl’s application to build a new supermarket on the Pershore Road site currently occupied by Fitness First Stirchley and PSL Bowling.
Having previously rejected the application, the decision left the whole community, including its local councillors (across several political parties), shocked and disappointed.
The community came together and petitioned against this decision, mounting a legal challenge with the Environmental Law Foundation. We were successful, and Birmingham City Council agreed to quash the application, admitting their errors.
The latest news is that Lidl allegedly want to buy the land regardless. We are disgusted by this behaviour and petition Birmingham City Council to support us in saving our leisure facilities. We also petition Lidl to reconsider other vacant sites in Stirchley, of which there are plenty.
We feel that this site is the wrong location for the Lidl store for the following reasons:
Loss of PSL Bowling - a family run, independent business that supports local economy. Nearest alternative approximately 4 miles away
Loss of Fitness First Stirchley – a popular fitness gym with over 3800 members amidst reports of a growing obesity crisis costing Birmingham over £2 billion every year
Loss of jobs – 62+ people are set to lose their jobs across the 2 sites with Lidl only committing to 20 full time staff
Further traffic disruption – concerns over increased volume of traffic on an already highly congested route and impact on residents parking
Alternative Stirchley sites available – derelict site owned by Tesco and proposed new Aldi store on Magnet site
Already enough supermarkets – 19 supermarkets in a 3 mile radius
