A further public consultation will take place this week over plans to site a new Lidl store in New Hedges heading into Tenby.

Land off the A478, on Narberth Road at New Hedges, near the entrance to Park House Court has been earmarked for the store.

One public consultation event has already taken place at the Tenby’s De Valence Pavilion earlier this month; and now another will be held at New Hedges Village Hall on Thursday, December 19, from 10 am to 12 pm.

“Following your feedback and high demand, I’m pleased to confirm that a second public consultation event has been organised to discuss the proposed Lidl store in New Hedges,” shared county councillor for the ward Cllr Rhys Jordan.

“Please remember, this proposal is currently in the consultation stage only—no planning application has been submitted yet.

“Your input is invaluable, and I hope to see many of you there!”

The plans are at an early stage, but would likely include:

• A new store, with a 1,334 sq m net sales area, built to the very latest specification, including modern in-store facilities like Lidl’s popular bakery, and customer toilets with baby changing facilities

• 103 parking spaces including 6 accessible and 9 parent and child bays and covered cycle parking

• Up to 40 jobs for local people including full and part-time roles, with entry-level staff receiving Lidl’s competitive £12.40 per hour starting pay

• Enhanced environmental features such as solar panels on the roof and rapid electric vehicle chargers in the parking area, as Lidl has an ongoing commitment to enhance the sustainability of its stores.

A spokesperson for the foodstore said on the proposals: “Lidl believes these plans will provide significant benefits for the community including new jobs and increased local choice for shoppers.”

“A new Lidl store at this site would increase local shopping choice and create up to 40 new jobs.

“The planning application will consider a range of matters including design, landscaping and highways.”

Following this stage of the consultation, Lidl will prepare a formal planning application to the Local Authority.

Further details of the scheme are available on the consultation website: Lidl Tenby - Public Consultation (tenby.newsite.lidl.co.uk)

A leaflet with a freepost feedback form has also been sent out to the community over the past few weeks.

The site in question is on the gateway into the seaside town of Tenby, only a short distance away from the 15-acre Brynhir site, where Pembrokeshire County Council plan to build 125 houses.

Building for the Brynhir development is due to start next year, after updated plans were unanimously approved by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority back in September.

As usual the news of a new store being proposed for any Pembrokeshire town, divides opinion, and people have been having their say on social media.

“This is an ideal location. What a bonus not having to drive to Pembroke Dock!” said one local; although another stated: “Absolutely NO!! Car parking being used all night, early morning or night deliveries; refrigeration units running all night causing noise to residents; increase of traffic at a small junction to name a few issues.”