Lidl Supermarket Approved On Former Coca-Cola Site In Qormi
The Planning Authority has approved the construction for a new Lidl supermarket on the former site of the Coca-Cola factory in Qormi.
This approval puts an end to a years of planning debates, as earlier proposals included building over 150 apartments, most of which have now been scrapped.
The supermarket is a collaborative effort between the German retail giant Lidl and Mizzi Organisation.
Located on a 7,558-square-metre plot, the new store will include 122 outdoor parking spaces and front onto Mdina Road with traffic exiting via Triq il-Vitorja.
Despite the busy nature of the area, a traffic impact assessment revelled that the supermarket would generate significantly fewer car trips than the originally planned residential complex.
The traffic study estimates that peak traffic for the supermarket would only reach 120 car movements during peak hours, compared to the 305 predicted for the previously proposed development.
The Planning Authority has also ensured that the project mitigates its impact on the community. Lidl and Mizzi Organisation are contributing €23,000 to the Urban Improvement Fund, compensating for five parking spaces that could not be accommodated.
The design of the supermarket, with its low structure and open parking lot, was praised by the case officer for its minimal visual impact compared to the towering apartment blocks initially proposed.
While there were initial concerns from local residents regarding potential traffic disruptions, the supermarket is expected to ease the pressure on key roundabouts nearby, particularly those along Triq Manuel Dimech, by diverting shoppers approaching from the west.
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