A DISCOUNT supermarket and six retail units will be built at the Union Mills site in Eccleshill.

Members of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee have approved plans for a fishing lake to be filled in and for buildings to be demolished to make way for a Lidl store and six other businesses.

Residents and Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) objected to the scheme at a meeting at City Hall yesterday.

Councillor Reid said some people were worried about jobs at existing businesses on the site and an increase in traffic on Harrogate Road. He added: “There is no obvious need for additional retail floorspace in this part of the city and this is underlined by the number of empty retail units in places like Greengates and Thornbury.”

Residents raised concerns about wildlife including fish and geese. The neighbouring site, Fagley Quarry, has been earmarked for more than 500 new homes.

Rachel Martin, speaking on behalf of the developer, said: “This is a £10million investment creating more than 100 jobs. There will be no residential loss of amenities.”

The application was approved by a majority of six votes to one.