Aldi’s plans for a new supermarket in Rye have been approved by Rother District Council’s Planning Committee. The unanimous vote in favour of the new store came just before 11am on Thursday 12 February.
The Aldi supermarket, which is part of a development on Winchelsea Road, was given the green light subject to a number of conditions. These include commitments on employment and bio-diversity, supporting bus services, two hours free parking, and improvements on the walk to Rye town centre.
A report to the committee recommended approval ahead of today’s vote, saying the benefits of a second supermarket in Rye outweighed the disadvantages. RDC Planning Officer Edwin Corke told councillors the decision was finely balanced, but the introduction of two hours free parking played an important role in reducing the financial impact of the new store.
Proposals for the new supermarket were first submitted in June 2024. Since then over three hundred letters of support have been lodged, with thirty five against.
Thousands of detailed pages of research, analysis and discussion have also been submitted from public and private organisations.
The meeting at Bexhill Town Hall heard from spokespeople for both Aldi and long standing local independent supermarket Jempson’s.
Chris Creighton, for Jempson’s and partner Morrisons, said approval would have a significant impact on the company’s Rye store. “It would be devastating with closure most likely.” He told the meeting Rye was not big enough to support two supermarkets and explained how he believed the application was against the council’s policies.
Speaking for Aldi, Real Estates Director Rob McClellan described the support from the community as “extraordinary”. He said Rye lacked affordable shopping and the new store would create jobs. “There are real benefits to Rye and the support speaks for itself.”
Councillors debated the pros and cons of the new store, raising concerns about parking, traffic management, the availability of low cost food, the impact on the environment, and jobs.
When it came, after an hour and a quarter, the vote was unanimous, with councillors approving planning permission for the new store subject to it signing a “Section 106” agreement.
Image Credits: Harris Partnership , David Worwood .