Supermarket plan refused to protect bats and newts

Plans for a village's new supermarket have been thrown out because of the harm it could cause to local bats and crested newts.

Lidl put forward proposals in August 2025 to construct a new store in Cheddar in Somerset, with more than 350 local residents submitting formal representations on the plans, which were expected to create up to 40 local jobs.

Somerset Council refused planning permission, arguing the company has not done enough to show how local protected species would not be harmed by the development.

Lidl has not yet indicated whether it intends to appeal, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The development would have accommodated 127 parking spaces, including nine parent and child spaces, six disabled and two electric vehicle charging points – along with a covered parking area for bicycles near the entrance.

A spokesperson for HTC Architects (representing the applicant) said: "The proposed new Lidl store strives to reduce environmental impact, both through design and through the commitment of Lidl to follow best practice to reduce pollution during the construction phase."

The council refused the plans through the dedicated powers of its planning officers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee north.

Planning officer Dean Titchener said there was an "absence of sufficient information" on how the development would minimise "beyond reasonable scientific doubt" any adverse impact on the North Somerset and Mendip bats special area of conservation

He added the developer had provided "insufficient information" on how great crested newts or hazel dormice, among other protected species, would be safeguarded.

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