CONTRACTORS working on the construction of the Crediton Lidl store building have been progressing well.

Earthworks are being completed and the structure of the building is well underway.

Cranes are being used to move the framework into place and this work is likely to continue for a few weeks.

A billboard has been placed at the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre end of the development site.

One of the signs at the entrance to the site of the Crediton Lidl store. AQ 1284
One of the signs at the entrance to the site of the Crediton Lidl store. AQ 1284 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

It was November 22 and 23 that holes were dug at intervals across the area of the Rec which was purchased by Lidl a few years ago.

The new store, along with 114 parking spaces, servicing and landscaping will be built on playing fields at Commercial Road, Lords Meadow Industrial Estate in the town, about half-a-mile from the town centre.

Work underway at the Crediton Lidl store site. AQ 1295
Work underway at the Crediton Lidl store site. AQ 1295 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Lidl was granted planning permission for the new store in September 2022.

Conditions included:

• A payment of £87,289 to assist with the flow of traffic through the Western Gateway, St Lawrence Green and the High Street to address air quality within the Crediton Air Quality Management Area.

• A payment of £400,000 to help relocate Crediton Rugby Club.

The Crediton Lidl store building structure and cranes and diggers on the site. AQ 1290
The Crediton Lidl store building structure and cranes and diggers on the site. AQ 1290 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

• £100,000 for Devon County Council to provide a zebra crossing on Commercial Road.

40 JOBS

The site will also include two electric vehicle charging points and 12 cycle parking spaces.

Lidl paid £800,000 to Queen Elizabeth’s Education Foundation for the area of the Rec on which it is to build the store.

The remaining area of the Rec is currently leased by Crediton Rugby Club.

A map of where the Lidl store will be located. (Image courtesy of One Design Architects)
A map of where the Lidl store will be located. (Image courtesy of One Design Architects) (One Design Architects)

Queen Elizabeth’s Education Foundation exists, totally separate from the school, and the Ted Wragg Trust.

It says it provides support for students in various ways, bursaries, prizes, equipment and support that otherwise might not be forthcoming from any other source.

It said that the money raised from the sale of the site would be invested solely for the Foundation to use in supporting existing students and past students up to the age of 25.

The Rugby Club is proposing to move to a new site adjoining the yet-to-begin Pedlarspool/Creedy Bridge development by Bellway for 257 homes, which is in Sandford parish at Exhibition Corner.

The new supermarket forms part of the company’s investment plans across Great Britain.

It will feature an instore bakery and customer toilets.

Once opened, Lidl says the proposed store will create up to 40 new jobs for the local economy.

Tesco clients BCLP tried to stop the Crediton Lidl plan from going ahead in 2022, citing loss of sports pitch and lawfulness of that decision under s106 matters and heritage reasons.

An image of what the Lidl store will look like. Planning documents
An image of what the Lidl store will look like. Planning documents (Lidl)

The process that Tesco invoked was called a Pre Action Protocolbut Mid Devon District Council defended its position and the Tesco clients did not go to the next stage which meant that the challenge ended.

The entrance to the Lidl store is almost opposite Tucker’s Country Store in Commercial Road.

As yet, no date as to when the Crediton Lidl store will open has been given.