PLANS for an Aldi store in Keynsham have been welcomed by some residents, who say it would provide a cheaper and more convenient alternative to other supermarkets in the area.
But others are concerned about the effect the scheme would have on traffic on the congested A4 Bath Road.
Aldi has submitted plans to build a store on a site between the A4 and World’s End Lane. It has earmarked the former Brincliffe Nursery for the scheme, to the west of the Esso garage.
A total of 22 people supported the scheme via Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning portal before the public consultation ended, while eight people objected.
One of those in favour of the plan said: “Would be great to have an Aldi on our doorstep, rather than travelling constantly to our nearest one.”
And another said: “The only supermarket that is walkable (I don’t drive) is Waitrose, having an Aldi close would be a dream. Myself and my bank account would be very pleased if this went ahead.”
Others felt it was a suitable site for the store, saying it would be well-located to service Keynsham and Saltford, and that the site was currently unused, with access to the front and rear.
Another said: “This store will be welcomed by many in the area and will not be detrimental to the area like recent development applications.”
But others felt that the area already has enough supermarkets and that the development would worsen traffic congestion.
One said: “The vehicles speed along this road, drivers rarely allow anyone out onto the A4, and accidents are happening more and more.”
Another said: “The traffic on the A4 through Saltford and this part of Keynsham is already too heavy for the road to cope with tailbacks often trailing back for a mile in either direction.”
Another resident added: “There are already far more supermarkets than we need. We see this as only another bad idea of greed that is unnecessary and harmful to the countryside. Saltford is meant to be a rural village not a service station to the A4 or the Bristol ring road.”
Aldi proposes that the main access to and from the site will be via World’s End Lane, which was upgraded as part of Keynsham Recycling Centre’s expansion.
Entry from the Bath Road would be by left turn only, with no exit allowed onto the busy main road.
B&NES Council is aiming to make a decision on the plans in September.
Mixed reaction to Aldi’s Keynsham store plan
