A proposed new Lidl store in Rainham has suffered a setback after a planning inspector dismissed an appeal by the chain relating to its application.

The chain had appealed against Havering Council’s "failure to give notice within a prescribed period of a decision on an application for planning permission".

But this was dismissed by planning inspector Jo Dowling, whose report has now been published.

The application's potential impact on bat roosts and nearby residents were among reasons for her decision.

Lidl’s long quest for approval

In March 2021, a proposal was submitted by Lidl to demolish a former commercial block in Rainham Road and build a new store.

The site is surrounded by La Salette Catholic Primary School and Our Lady of La Salette Church to the south, with homes to the north and west.

Lidl was granted a premises license in October 2022 to serve alcohol, with ten conditions attached such as installing CCTV systems which retain images for 28 days and providing training to staff about alcohol sales.

The planning application received a mixed response in Facebook group ‘Rainham Lidl - is it needed’.

One member commented in May 2021 they were "strongly against" the store on the proposed site due to traffic concerns.

Read More: Proposed Rainham Lidl granted approval to serve alcohol seven days a week

Another said: “Personally I would rather see a Lidl than yet another block of flats.”

The chain filed its appeal last March, with it still awaiting a decision on its planning application.

'Out of character’

In response to Lidl’s appeal, Ms Dowling was appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to scrutinise it.

She conducted a site visit on February 21 this year and her report has recently been published.

Ms Dowling listed the proposal’s impact on protected species (bats) and the living conditions of neighbouring properties as some of the main issues.

The report said that Lidl dismissed the possibility of incorporating a residential element within its proposed development.

It questioned if all alternatives that could make the most effective use of the site had been fully explored.

Lidl, in its application, had identified that there was a possibility of there being bat roosts on the site.

Ms Dowling said in the report: “I accept that the presence of bats does not necessarily prevent development provided adequate measures are taken to avoid disturbance and loss of roosting opportunities."

A bat survey was suggested to confirm whether bat roosts existed, but Lidl offered to address the matter post approval by adding it as a condition. The inspector thus concluded that she cannot be assured if the proposal would adversely affect bats as they are sensitive to light and noise.

The report highlighted that the proximity of proposed cycle parking would disturb the privacy of nearby residents whose windows were too close to the space.  The proposal, if approved, would bring noise and disturbance for its neighbours, it said.

Ms Dowling also wrote that the store would appear "out of character" in a predominantly residential area owing to its bulk and height.

Lidl did not respond to the Recorder's request for comment.