Aldi has been given the go-ahead to build a new supermarket in a Cardiff suburb after the council's planning committee gave unanimous approval. The German discount chain submitted plans earlier this year to build at Wern Fawr in Old St Mellons.
Community objections and support
The application faced some resistance, with 21 objections received by the council, including from Old St Mellons Community Council, ward councillor Joel Williams, and Tesco. However, 177 letters of support were also received, with many citing greater consumer choice, access to cheaper groceries, reduced need to travel, and local employment opportunities.
One objection stated: “Old St Mellons is an affluent suburb of Cardiff and should continue this way. We should not be viewed as a development opportunity on a map, especially for an Aldi store.” Another said: “The creation of Aldi is of no real benefit in what is quite an upmarket area.” Concerns were also raised about increased traffic, overnight delivery, noise, and potential antisocial behaviour.
Councillors welcome the plans
The plans were met with more enthusiasm from the planning committee. Cllr Michael Michael, who represents the nearby ward of Trowbridge, said the supermarket would be of “great benefit” to his constituents and those of nearby wards. He called the idea a “great use of spare space” and joked: “If there was a Waitrose or possibly a Fortnum & Mason we probably wouldn’t get a complaint from the community council.”
Other councillors sympathised with the traffic concerns but acknowledged the council’s highways department saw no issue with the application. Referring to the nearby Tesco superstore, Cllr Emma Reid-Jones said: “A bit of healthy competition is what is good – it can only help the residents and wider residents.”
