STRONG objections have been made by a parish council and residents protesting plans to build an Aldi store.

The discount supermarket chain bought land and submitted a planning application for a new store to be built on the Windsor Garden Centre site on Dedworth Road.

Bray Parish Council submitted a letter objecting the plans and have requested the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council to refuse the planning application.

The parish objected on the grounds that the site is on Green Belt and not brownfield, an increase of congested traffic, ‘detrimental impact’ on nearby heritage assets, and a negative impact on neighbours.

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In their letter, it states: “The site is within 0.5 miles of the junction of the B3024 with the A308 and the parish council has previously made public its concern regarding levels of road traffic on this road and is a partner in a study of this area.

“It is also concerned about the effects of pollution and congestion from additional traffic on the already busy Dedworth Road and so does not support the proposal for these reasons.”

The parish added the new store would be ‘disastrous’ for patients and specialists at Cardinal Clinic – a private hospital which treats mental illness – because of the increased activity and incessant presence of the busy Aldi store on adjacent land.

Dr Martin Carroll – who works at the mental health clinic, said: “It is next to where the trucks will be unloading, and I believe it will contribute significant noise disruption to our clinic. A peaceful environment is paramount to helping children and adults with Mental Health Disorders.”

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Richard Endacott, chairman of the West Windsor Residents Association, opposed the plans – but said the group would be interested in supporting the developer in finding an alternative, more appropriate site where it won’t impact traffic, the Green Belt site, and the neighbouring clinic.

During a virtual public consultation in May, 83 per cent out of 1,330 comments received supported plans for an Aldi to be set up in Windsor.

If plans for the new discount food store pass, it would be Windsor’s first Aldi store and it would cover a space of 1,864 square metres, create 40 full and part-time jobs, and have 117 customer parking spaces with two electric charging points.