While the garage will go, the Pineapple Inn has been saved
Neighbours of a proposed Lidl Supermarket in Llandaff North have submitted a petition to protest against the plan.
The Station Road site is currently the James and Jenkins Garage, but the owners recently signed a contract worth up to £5 million with the German supermarket giant.
Following months of speculation, James and Jenkins announced on social media that a joint proposal would be submitted to the council which if successful will see the creation of 55-60 new jobs.
There were first rumours of the move in September, after James and Jenkins announced it was cutting 23 jobs, ending most of its franchising relationships and refocusing on its Tivoli site.
But some residents are opposed to the plans, with over 120 signing a petition in the last two weeks.
Mr Bobby Singh, 29, of Station Road, Cardiff, created the petition amid fears Lidl would undercut him on the price of bread and milk.
“People who live around here will lose value on their properties.” He said. “This could make me or break me.”
Mr Singh, like other opponents of the scheme, is worried about the increased noise and traffic flow, as well as the risks additional traffic would cause to young children and the elderly.
But not all residents are opposed to the plans. Mrs Jill Clark, 52, of Westbourne Road, Llandaff North, works in Lew’s Coffee shop . She said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s just what this little village needs.”
She added that a new supermarket would save elderly residents from walking to Whitchurch while providing a cheaper alternative to the Cooperative supermarkets on the high streets in both towns.
While Lidl declined to comment, Mark James, managing director of the garage operation said that the store would be a good thing for the area.
“It’s a perfect demographic fit, it will really bring up the town.” He said.
Though Lidl declined give details of the site, Mr James said the store would be relatively large and include at least 80 car park spaces.
He also added that the plot running from 31-37 Station Road had attracted the interest of multiple parties, including two other supermarket chains, a property developer and a care home.
A public meeting on the issue is scheduled to be held in March.
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