Former Herman Miller building Lower Bristol Road

We have been pressing the council hard to get the opposite end of the Herman Miller Building from Lidl developed.

So far planning permission has not been granted for this part of the building due to several hurdles that needed to be resolved, these included a shopping impact assessment that we understand is now completed and being assessed.

Our understanding is that it seems close to a decision being made on this site that may give the go ahead for the final stages of development.

Local residents have been constantly telling us that they are fed up with this building not being completed and we are hopeful that this will soon be resolved.

Lidl open at Last

Both Sarah and Sharon were pleased to be at the opening of the new Lidl store in the former Herman Miller building in the Lower Bristol Road in Bath.

Sharon officially cut the ribbon to  open the new store that was declared as open by leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Paul Crossley.

Sharon who then went on to do her weeks shopping in the store said: "This has been ten long years since I first started working with Lidl to try and get this store open, and I am pleased to see so many local residents today benefiting from reasonably priced shopping".

As the new store opened we became aware of a new planning application for the rest of the site that included two other discount shops a Poundland Store, Pets at Home and a Costa Coffee outlet.

We have not had time to study the details of this application and would need to study the detail of the application before passing any comments. We will publish details of the new application later with links to the application itself.

Lidl to open soon

Although we have been here before and the opening of Lidl has been delayed several times, we feel that from the information we have recently received, it gives an indication that Lidl will open by the second week of April.

The matter is down to BT to complete their work on site which should have been done last year although Lidl have apologised to the public for the store not opening there has been deathly silence from BT.

We will of course publish the exact date of opening as soon as we have permission to release it from Lidl.

Lidl Opening delayed

We are disappointed to report that Lidl have informed us that they are unable to open their new store at the Former Herman Miller site on the Lower Bristol Road on 19th February.

Although the store is virtually finished and even has food and goods going on the shelves they will not be able to open on that date through no fault of their own.

Lidl had arranged as far back as last August for BT to carry out works to move one of their connection boxes that form part of the new entrance to the car park and even paid in advance for the work to be carried out.

BT for their part arrived on site last week after the intervention of the Council in assisting Lidl who could not get commitment from BT when they we going to carry out the required work.

BT state that the work could take 3 more weeks and that is what the delay is. We are sure that BT knew that the works would take this long when they were first approached by Lidl and if so why have they failed to organise themselves to meet their obligations.

It seems ironic that it is the same BT that delayed the opening of the new Sainsbury's store in Keynsham not so long ago.

We await the apology from BT to all our local residents who have waited so long for this store to open but this is with baited breath.

As to the date of the opening of Lidl we will keep residents informed.

New Lidl Store on target

Councillor Sharon Ball and Local Activist Sarah Moore at Lidl Site

During our walk around Westmoreland at the weekend, Councillor Sharon Ball and I visited the Lidl site to check on progress.

As you can see windows and cladding have been put in, the boarding has been taken down and work is moving at a great pace and whilst talking with workers on the site we can confirm they are on target for their scheduled opening on Thursday 19th February.

Following the advice and assistance provided to Lidl to overcome difficult planning issues that were encountered, Councillors Sharon Ball and Paul Crossley have been asked to officially open the store at 8am on the day.

by
Sarah Moore

Marks & Spencer come to Weston Lock

After getting the go ahead for Lidl on the former Herman Miller site one of the worst kept secrets in the area is out and that is Marks & Spencer are to take up residence at Weston Lock on the Lower Bristol Road.

A new planning application has been submitted for Marks & Spencer Just food to occupy half of the site currently occupied by Curry's and PC World.

This exciting project means there will be greater choice for local residents on their shopping needs.

Marks and Spencer tell us that they will be employing local staff and that there would be about 65 new jobs created.

Fly tipping

We have asked for this old mattress that has been dumped alongside Polamco to be removed as soon as possible.

It is annoying that as we start to get this area cleaned up we get people dumping in the area.

If you saw the person who dumped this then please let us know.

Lidl at last ( The Final steps )

The work on Lidl is at last starting and will soon be very obvious to residents that live nearby; a protective wooden fence has already gone up around the site, and development of the building starts today.

It was good to meet with senior Lidl staff last week to review progress to date and to learn that the potential opening date was for February 2015, both the Leader of the Council Paul Crossley and Cabinet member Homes and planning Tim Ball were also present.

The asbestos and scrappy sides of the building are to be transformed but the very special roof that is the reason the building is listed are being cleaned and repaired and will be a special feature of the store.

Lidl are delighted with the help we gave them in resolving the impass with the other landowner - Sharon Ball for giving the idea to transport access to the site and Tim Ball for determining that Lidl could clad just their part of the store and leave the rest to the other owner to repair.

Lidl Site issues - resolved

We are pleased to confirm that, due to the prompt action by Councillor Sharon Ball and Lidl, the travellers that moved onto the site on Friday evening were moved off this morning, taking less than 48 hours from when we first became aware of their presence.

Lidl will take further action to ensure the site is secure to prevent any more travellers gaining access to the car park area at the rear of the store.

by 
Sarah Moore

Issues on Lidl Site

Overnight last night several travellers gained access to the car park area at the rear of the Lidl site via the eastern end of the site that is not owned by Lidl themselves.

We have been in contact with both the police and Lidl this morning who have promised to send representatives over to the site as soon as possible to get this resolved.

We will update you further as soon as we have more details.

by
Sarah Moore

Former Herman Miller Site

Lidl have confirmed that they have instructed contractors to cut the grass at the Former Herman Miller site early next week.

It is important that we keep this site in a clean and tidy state whilst we are waiting for construction of the new Lidl store.

Some initial work has commenced, however, we are still awaiting confirmation of when the main works will be undertaken.

We will update you further as soon as more information is known.

Lidl ( another step forward )

The prospect of a Lidl store in Bath has taken another significant step forward to day with Bath & North East Somerset Council announcing proposals for the closure of Fieldings Road for a period of up to six months to allow road alterations.

The closure will also allow a period for construction to take place.

The closure will be from 27th May 2014 as advertised in the statement below.

BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL

(FIELDING’S ROAD, BATH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF USE BY VEHICLES) ORDER 2014

Notice is given that Bath and North East Somerset Council in exercise of its powers under section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 intends to make an orderthe effect of which will be to temporarily introduce a road closure in that length ofFielding’s Road, Bath extending from its junction with Lower Bristol Road for its entirety.

This order is required because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road to facilitate highway reconstruction for retail development in the carriageway and will be operative on 27th May 2014 for a maximum period of sixmonths. The road will only be restricted as and when traffic signs are in position andmay not be effected for the whole of the period but only for so long as is necessary to execute the works. This is anticipated to be for three months.

Lidl update

Just a short update on the progress since Lidl gained planning permission for the redevelopment of Part of the former Herman Miller site on the Lower Bristol Road.

I have had contact with Lidl in the past few days who tell me they are now putting together the development schedule for the site of which they have offered to share with me later this week and as soon as I have it it will feature heavily on this blog.

What they have told me is their commitment to ensuring the store is developed by the summer of this year so we can all look forward to some cheaper shopping in time for next Christmas.


By Councillor Sharon Ball

LIDL - Success at Last

After almost 6 years of waiting  for the former Herman Miller Factory site to be developed, Bath and North East Somerset Council's planning officers have today approved a planning application for Lidl to redevelop the site on the Lower Bristol Road.  This will see the area of the site owned by Lidl transformed over the coming months.

Westmoreland Councillor Sharon Ball (lib dem) said "this is great news for the local area, I have worked closely with representatives from Lidl over the past few years and am delighted this site will finally be developed.

Residents have been wanting this store for a long time and have become increasingly disappointed by the delays. It will not only mean a badly neglected site being cleaned up, but more local jobs being created."

Lidl are expected to start work immediately, with a view to the store being operational by mid 2014.

We are still awaiting news on what will happen with the other part of the site owned by Acornford Hampshire and will keep you updated as soon as we hear any more news.

by Sarah Moore

New Lidl application registered.

We promised residents that we notify them when the registration of the new Lidl planning application was complete.

The application is now fully registered and open for comments and we hope that residents will make supportive comments so that we can at last have the Lidl store that we have all been waiting for.

The listed building application can be found on this link listed building application number is 13/04409/LBA

The full application can be found here LIDL the planning application reference number is 13/04408/FUL

New Lidl application submitted

We are pleased to hear that a new planning application has been submitted by Lidl in the past few hours for development of their part of the former Herman Miller building, the application will be registered in the next few days and we will publish the application number when it is registered.

The new application is for a larger store than in previous applications and is for a single Lidl store on the land that they own, It also has a new entrance via Fieldings Road that fits in well with work being undertaken on cycling provision in the area.

We understand that Lidl has acquired additional land to enlarge the area at the bottom of Fieldings Road to make this entrance viable and probably better than in previous applications that was to the city centre end of the site.

Councillor Sharon Ball said: "I am delighted with this new application it brings a scheme closure that I have been working on closely with Lidl for well over two years now.

I will be supporting this application and encourage the community that have been waiting so long for this store to get behind the application that will bring a relief to a blighted area".

This application we understand has no relation to previous schemes that were jointly with the other land owner on the former Herman Miller site and is a stand alone application from Lidl directly relating to land that they own.

Lib Dem campaigner Sarah Moore said: "This is great news for the local community and it will allow  local people to be able to shop in a reasonable priced store in their own community.

I would also like to thank Sharon for her tireless work to bring this about".

Lidl - a new era?

Councillor Sharon Ball and Liberal Democrat campaigner Sarah Moore are delighted
to confirm, after working closely with Lidl over the past 2 years, a planning application is due to be submitted later this month to develop a Lidl store on
the former Herman Miller site.

Councillor Sharon Ball said: "residents have been telling us for a long time that they want
the former Herman Miller building used as a Lidl store and I will be supporting the planning application, this has gone on far too long and the area needs this site developed".

Liberal Democrat campaigner Sarah Moore said: "your views are very important for the development of this site and we would like to encourage all residents to express their views as part of this process".

Full details of the planning application will be posted on the BANES website as soon as it has been submitted and everyone will be able to make comments. 

by
Sarah Moore.

Lidl ( former Herman Miller building) update

Councillor Sharon Ball has again contacted Lidl asking them to secure the Old Herman Miller Building on the Lower Bristol Road after it was broken into.

The Pictures clearly show the damage that has been caused by this recent break in.

We have in the past been encouraged by the swift action that Lidl have taken when we have reported issues like this to them.

It is now very important that this building is developed as soon as possible as its condition is deteriorating rapidly.

The building currently has planning permission for the development of a Lidl Store and 3 other shops but the permission has not been enacted due to a disagreement with Lidl and their development partner over a legal agreement.

The Council are happy to issue the full planning permission once the partners agree on Legal issues and we understand that its not for the want of trying by both the Council and Lidl to try to resolve these issues.

Readers will be able to deduce that the problem is neither the Council or Lidl.

After our talks with Lidl recently we are now reasonably confident that these issues can be resolved in a relatively short period but each time we say that the time seems to get extended.

We will keep the pressure up on this issue and keep regular updates on this blog.

By Councillor Sharon Ball

Lidl former Herman Miller site

I had a good meeting with Lidl on Monday concerning the former Herman Miller building.

I came away from the meeting encouraged that the possibility of Lidl on the Lower Bristol Road site has moved  forward and we may soon see the reality of a Lidl in the not too distant future.

I am pleased to be able to report that Lidl are planning to tidy up this site and will be removing the graffiti from the building at our request.

It is very important that we keep this building clean and tidy as this area is a gateway into the World Heritage site.

Former Herman Miller Building

The signs of an empty building is that graffiti starts to appear on the outside of the building

I have asked the Graffiti that has started to appear over the past few weeks is removed as soon as possible as well as some of the rubbish that has been recently deposited at the back and the sides.