Portchester Branch Labour Party has said it will not oppose the planning application by the budget supermarket chain Lidl to build a store on the old pinewood store site, Castle Trading Estate.
We considered some concerns raised about the affect the plan would have on Portchester’s shopping centre. Fears have been expressed that Lidl would take trade from existing shops within the centre making it less viable. However it would help consumers by increasing competition, especially as there is currently only one supermarket in Portchester. On balance we think the store should go ahead.
We believe the store would prove popular with local people and as the site has already been used for retail sales, if planning permission is denied by the council, it is likely that the decision would be overturned on appeal.