A NEW Lidl is on the horizon for Workington after a High Court judge ruled to uphold the decision of Allerdale Borough Council, which was challenged by supermarket giant Tesco.

Lidl GB has confirmed this week, that its new supermarket on New Bridge Road, Workington, will be going ahead following the Court's decision to dismiss a legal challenge from Tesco, which sought to quash planning permission granted by Allerdale Borough Council.

Planning permission for the discounter’s revised store proposals was granted back in April 2022; however a last-minute legal challenge was submitted by Tesco to Allerdale Borough Council in an attempt to quash the permission and block the new store from opening in Workington.

Following a rebuttal on the challenge from the council, Mr Justice Fordham dismissed Tesco’s claims and upheld Allerdale Borough Council’s decision to grant planning permission.

Lidl GB’s regional head of property, David Murphy, commented: "For the communities we serve, this is more important now than ever before, and as the cost-of-living-crisis deepens we know that any delays to a Lidl store opening in Workington would have come as a huge blow to many.

“We are therefore delighted with the Court’s decision and grateful to Allerdale Borough Council for defending their decision so robustly, to help ensure that households in Workington have greater choice so that they can make bigger savings on their shopping.

"We would like to take the opportunity to also extend our sincere thanks to the community for their continued support.

"We now look forward to getting started with construction and will provide further updates on the development as we progress.”

READ MORE: Lidl GB given the green light for New Bridge Road, Workington

A spokesman for Allerdale Borough Council said: “Allerdale Borough Council welcome the judgment from the High Court which upholds the decision of the Council’s Development Panel for this development.

"The development of this new supermarket is a further step forward in the ongoing regeneration of the Lower Derwent Valley area of Workington and we will work with delivery partners at Allerdale Investment Partnership to bring the project forward.”

Workington MP Mark Jenkinson said he is looking forward to see the development progress after 'clearing its planning hurdles'.

He said: "I’m delighted to see Lidl finally clearing its planning hurdles, as Deputy Leader of Allerdale Borough Council I worked hard to deliver this project after my very first job in that role had been to unblock delivery of the Travelodge across the road from the site, which had stalled under the previous administration.

"I am committed to the regeneration of the Lower Derwent Valley which I championed in council and formed a key pledge of mine in the 2019 election.

"Lidl will offer further shopping choice for my constituents in and around Workington as further Lower Derwent Valley projects, and those around the Port and Oldside, are delivered.

"I look forward to seeing the development progress."

READ MORE: Plans approved for new Lidl in Workington neighbouring Tesco