Plans for a new Lidl store on the edge of Tenby have drawn mixed reactions from the community. In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council in October 2023, Lidl GB Ltd, represented by the agent CarneySweeney, seeks permission for a 1,969 square metre store located at Park House Court on Narberth Road. The proposed site lies north of the Park Court Nursing Home and includes provisions for 103 parking spaces.
The new store is anticipated to create approximately 40 jobs, according to the applicants. This application follows earlier proposals submitted in 2024, which were informed by extensive public consultations. Lidl’s outreach included a leaflet distribution to 8,605 local properties, an online feedback form on an informational website, and a public exhibition held last December at the De Valence Pavilion in Tenby, followed by a community event at New Hedges Village Hall.
Feedback from these consultations has shown strong local support, with 89 percent of the 1,365 responses received indicating approval for the new store. A statement from Lidl emphasizes the company’s established presence in the UK, operating around 980 stores and expanding its network based on successful models from its more than 10,800 stores across Europe.
The supporting statement asserts that the new Lidl store would enhance local retail options and stimulate the economy. The company argues that it will provide significant employment opportunities and foster training and career development, thereby generating broader economic benefits for the community.
Despite this support, the local St Mary Out Liberty Community Council has formally objected to the proposal, citing concerns about the site’s suitability. While acknowledging the potential economic benefits, the council expressed that the proposed location conflicts with existing planning policies and is not appropriate in its current form.
Concerns raised include the impact on traffic congestion, particularly along the A478 during peak tourist seasons. The council warned that a supermarket would exacerbate traffic issues, increase turning movements, and pose greater risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency service access. Additionally, they highlighted potential disturbances from noise, lighting, and traffic that could affect the nearby residential care home.
An initial assessment by Pembrokeshire County Council has echoed these concerns, particularly regarding the visual impact of the proposed store. The authority’s landscape officer indicated that the store would introduce an “intense urban function” into an otherwise rural area, which is not compatible with the character of the site or its surroundings. The report concluded that the development would likely have a detrimental visual effect on the setting of the National Park.
The planning application will be reviewed by county planners in the near future, and the outcome will determine whether Lidl can proceed with its plans for the new store in Tenby.
