Aldi’s proposals will see the site sustainably redeveloped as part of the Wixams Northern Expansion Area. The site benefits from an outline planning application for commercial and employment use, submitted in 2015 (ref. 15/00466/EIA).A detailed (reserved matters) approval was subsequently obtained by Aldi in March 2018 (ref. 17/02657/MAR). Aldi now
wishes to make a series of amendments to the previously approved scheme and it is therefore necessary to submit a fresh reserved matters application.
Aldi’s proposals are to make amendments to the previously approved scheme to respond to the increased demand for Aldi’s service and products. The revised proposals will result in an improved scheme in terms of noise and landscaping.
Aldi’s proposals will bolster our distribution capabilities in the region, enabling produce to be efficiently delivered across our stores and providing critical investment into the local economy as part of Bedfordshire’s post Covid-19 recovery.
The proposed new centre would see the creation of an estimated 600 jobs once fully occupied, with further employment opportunities available throughout construction. These jobs will provide key opportunities for residents of the new Wixams settlement to work locally.
After consultation with stakeholders and the community, we submitted our reserved matters plans in March 2022. As a result of ongoing discussions with Bedford Borough Council and responding to feedback we have received, we have updated our plans and submitted a new reserved matters application.
The changes to the application from our previous reserved matters application submitted in March 2022 include:
– Revised acoustic fence height of 5m maximum
– Introduction of a new landscape buffer to the eastern boundary
– Minor amendments to the car park and HGV entrance and exit area
To find out more about our submitted plans, please consult our Proposals page or read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Key Benefits
- Creation of c. 600 new operational jobs for local people, across a wide range of skill levels
- Sustainable and efficient use of land, with new infrastructure catering to cyclists and pedestrians
- Construction employment opportunities throughout the build process
- Significant investment into the local economy aiding Bedfordshire’s post Covid-19 recovery.
- Increased distribution support for Aldi’s current & new stores across the region
- High quality design, delivering a functional but contemporary development that is highly energy efficient
- Providing much needed opportunities to residents of the new Wixams settlement
Creation of c. 600 new operational jobs for local people, across a wide range of skill levels
Parking spaces for 103 cars, including five accessible bays, nine parent-and-child spaces and two electric vehicle charging points
Free customer car parking together with bicycle parking
Between 30 and 50 full and part-time permanent local jobs
Additional employment opportunities during the construction period and via the supply chain
Attractive landscaping throughout the site to enhance its appearance
A high-quality design which offers a contemporary shopping experience
Outline planning permission for residential development on the site alongside an Aldi food store
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Why we need a new Regional Distribution Centre
Aldi currently have eleven Regional Distribution Centres (RDCs) throughout the UK. They all focus on getting great quality products to our stores. To ensure that more UK resident’s can enjoy our products we are aiming to deliver 100 new stores over the next two years.
To support this and make sure that our Bedfordshire stores are efficiently stocked and replenished, a new Regional Distribution Centre is needed to provide the backbone to our local offering.
The Development
Aldi’s amended proposals for the development of the site is for the construction of a Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) to be operated by ALDI Stores Limited with associated loading bays, car parking and access arrangements. The proposals also include a new offices.
The proposed reserved matters application seeks to make amendments to the previously cosented application. These include additional landscaping and acoustic fencing, increasing distance from existing residential developments, increased number of parking spaces to reduce number of vehicles on the road, and loading bays shifted away from the residential developments.
Design & Visual Impacts
The new RDC would provide a modern complex, offering a high quality design set within an attractive landscaped setting. As part of the amended proposals, Aldi is seeking to provide additional acoustic fence provision to mitigate noise impact, and additional landscaping screening on the eastern boundary adjacent to the main car par, which will further mitigate the visiual impact of the development.
Site Plan
Previously consented scheme
Revised scheme
ALDI are bringing forward a revised Reserved Matters planning application from the consented scheme from March 2018. The changes in the proposals include;
- The building position has moved further north by 42m closer to the B&M Distribution Centre and further away from the residential and future employment areas to the south and east boundaries,
- The building footplate has increased by approximately 5,300 sq.m to accommodate ALDI’s latest internal operations requirements which have evolved since the 2018 planning consent. The majority of this increase (approximately 3,700 sq.m) is concentrated in Unit 1 situated closer to the B&M Distribution Centre.
- The overall dimensions of Unit 1 have slightly increased from 296m to 332m in length with the width remaining the same at approximately 186m.
- The overall dimensions of Unit 2 have reduced from 136m to 120m in length and increased from 156m to 190m in width.
- The overall building heights remain the same.
- The Offices have moved from the north elevation corner to the north east corner south elevation.
- The goods out zone to Unit 1 has moved from the east elevation to the south elevation further away from the neighbouring residential development.
- Car parking sizes have been increased to new planning standards.
- 10% active car charge provision is now being provided within the development.
- A total of 124 HGV parking spaces are now being provided, an uplift of 59 spaces from the original planning consent and to support more strategic vehicle loading on site and reduce numbers of HGVS on the roads.
- The acoustic fence provision to the development is being further improved offering more noise buffering to the development.
- Additional landscape screening is being provided to the eastern boundary areas adjacent to the main car park and Fisherswood Road.
Access & Parking
In addition to the arrangements already secured by the existing outline planning consent, Aldi’s amended proposals include some additional improvements:
- Car parking sizes have been increased to new planning standards
- 10% active car charge provision is now being provided within the development
- A total of 124 HGV parking spaces are now being provided, an uplift of 59 spaces from the original planning consent and to support more strategic vehicle loading on site and reduce numbers of HGVS on the roads
Landscaping & Trees
The application for the site will be supported by a Landscaping Strategy, which comprises a Landscape Management Plan and detailed landscaping proposals.
Aldi are proposing the introduction of a number of areas of open spaces with native tress and shrub planting, in order to provide an attractive landscaped setting for the RDC.
The overall objective is to conserve and enhance the existing landscape features whilst also creating an attractive environment for employees and visitors to the proposed development.
In line with a condition of our outline consent a scheme of tree planting will be undertaken within the site to meet the objectives of the Forest of Marston Val.
Aldi’s amended proposals include additional tree planting and landscaping within and around the site to reduce both visual and acoustic impact.
Construction Impacts
A Construction Management Plan will be prepared and submitted as part of the application, which will identify a series of measures that will be implemented during the construction phase of the development in order to ensure there are no unacceptable impacts on the surrounding environment.
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