The development of what was once an Altrincham Aldi supermarket into a self-storage site cannot progress after a decision by the Planning Inspectorate.

Lok'nStore Ltd, a business with a total of 42 branches across the country, applied for planning permission for the transformation around two years ago.

The application for the development of what was once an Altrincham Aldi supermarket, on Davenport Lane, came after the relocation of the store to the other side of Atlantic Street in 2020.

Trafford Council refused the proposal on the basis of the impact on the appearance and character of the area and its Grade-II listed buildings as well as the impact on drainage and flooding.

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Lok'nStore Ltd appealed to the Planning Inspectorate but, on October 6, Planning Inspector Beverley Wilders refused the proposal too and the self-storage site cannot progress as a result.

Ms Wilders disagreed with the council about the impact on the appearance and character of the area and its Grade-II listed buildings, the old Lloyds Bank and Post Office and the Railway Inn pub, but Ms Wilders agreed with the council about the impact on drainage and flooding.

The inspector said: "The proposal would provide a self-storage facility in an area where the appellant [Lok'nStore Ltd] states there is an under-provision. The proposal would bring the appeal site back into use, which the appellant states would bring benefits, and it would enhance the adjacent wildlife corridor by the relocation of the building and additional landscaping.

"The proposal would result in some benefits but these do not outweigh the harm which would result due to the absence of suitable drainage and flood mitigation and management measures to ensure no increased risk of flooding.

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"The proposal would not have a harmful effect on the appearance and character of the area including on the setting of nearby Listed Buildings. 

"However, in the absence of suitable drainage and flood mitigation and management measures, it has not been demonstrated the proposal would not increase the risk of flooding in the area. The appeal is therefore dismissed." 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.