Fresh plans lodged for LIDL store on former Matalan site

Residents can have their say on plans for a new Lidl supermarket in Station Street, with fresh proposals submitted to Portsmouth City Council.

The proposed store would be located in the heart of the city centre, close to Portsmouth & Southsea railway station, on the former Matalan site.

The application, prepared by HTC Architects on behalf of Lidl GB Ltd, sets out plans for a “modern foodstore”.

The store would provide around 1,470 square metres of sales space and include an in-store bakery. It would feature a contemporary design with metal panels, glass fronting and a canopy at the entrance.

The site is around 150 metres from the station and is well connected to nearby residential areas on foot. The car park would be reconfigured with a new layout, improved access, pedestrian routes and landscaping.

A total of 122 parking spaces are planned, including nine accessible bays and eight staff spaces at the rear of the site.

Plans also include the removal of an existing conservatory-style extension, which would be replaced with a single-storey staff welfare building. If approved, Lidl says the development would be delivered as soon as possible.

The proposals say the scheme could create new jobs and bring a vacant city centre site back into use in a sustainable location.

Lidl currently operates four other stores in Portsmouth, located in Fratton, Copnor, North End and Hilsea.

The former Matalan site had previously been earmarked for a £45m HMRC office development, but those plans were later dropped.

At the time of writing, no public comments have been submitted. The application can be viewed on Portsmouth City Council’s planning portal using reference 26/00596/FUL.