Planning approval granted for new Aldi food store and mixed use development in St Helens

Article date: 31 October 2025

The approved hybrid planning application includes detailed proposals for the new Aldi food store, alongside outline proposals for additional uses across the wider site. These outline proposals include a new care home, two food and drink units, and a small parade of commercial units, all of which will be brought forward through future reserved matters applications.

Located just south of the East Lancs Road, the brownfield site has been vacant for many years and is currently home to a disused petrol station, derelict buildings and a pallet recycling facility. The scheme will also see Aldi realign Laffak Road in line with the Council's development brief and reserve an area of land for the proposed new Carr Mill rail station, supporting wider transport, connectivity and economic ambitions for the area.

The new food store and road realignment alone represents a £12 million investment into the local economy and will create 40 new jobs at a minimum of £13.02 per hour at the Aldi store alone. Aldi's carefully selected range of products, at prices lower than most other supermarkets, will provide more choice for residents in north St Helens, an area currently underserved by large food stores.

Aldi has praised St Helens Borough Council for its proactive and professional approach in dealing with the planning application, helping to unlock the regeneration of the long-vacant site and bring forward a scheme that will deliver lasting benefits for the local community.

Bryn Richards, National Real Estate for Aldi said: "We're extremely grateful to St Helens Borough Council for the constructive way they have handled this application. Their proactive and professional approach has helped ensure we can move forward with a scheme that will regenerate a long-vacant site and deliver real lasting benefits for residents in north St Helens.

"We're excited to bring a new Aldi food store to the area, alongside other uses that will create jobs, investment and more choice for local people."

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said: "As a council we are committed to supporting the redevelopment of brownfield sites and to work progressively with developers to provide quality facilities for the people of St Helens, so I'm incredibly proud to hear the recognition for our high-performing Planning Service . Attracting a multi award-winning employer like ALDI to the north of the borough will also open up new, good employment opportunities for our residents and I look forward to seeing the development progress alongside our exciting plans for the new Carr Mill rail station that will be delivered in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority."