Lidl Granted Planning Permission for Supermarket Site Near Waitrose

Tuesday, 16 September 2025 06:05

Lidl can open in the former Smyths and Homesense Units off Churchill Way next to Sports Direct and Waitrose, following planning approval.

The decision comes after the supermarket chain applied back in October for full planning permission from Wiltshire Council.

Wiltshire case officer Joe Richardson said in his report, completed in July, that the proposals were a fairly modest scheme, which included joining two units and using the majority of both of them for a new Lidl store, the second in the city.

The report continues, “Planning permission is sought for the amalgamation of unit one (formerly Smyths) and the majority of unit two (formerly Homesense), with the majority of the combined floorspace to be used by Lidl.

“The development will result in economic benefits by way of the creation of up to 50 positions and will result in the continued occupation of existing retail units in an accessible location.

“The local planning authority [Wiltshire Council] is able to conclude that, subject to the imposition of planning conditions, there would not any significant harm to the vitality of Salisbury city centre.”

There are some conditions to the permission, including car park management strategy and delivery times. Another condition lays out restrictions on which type of products can be sold in each unit.

It's excepted the store will open in February 2026.

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