Aldi’s plans also feature a petrol station, public toilets and a tourist information hub (Image: Getty)
Aldi has secured planning approval for a new supermarket in Lincolnshire, bringing to an end a four-year planning dispute with rival Lidl. Both retailers had applied to develop stores in Horncastle, but planning officers concluded that approving two discount supermarkets would have an unacceptable impact on the town centre.
After a three-hour meeting on Thursday, East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee voted by a narrow margin to approve Aldi’s application. Councillors heard the proposed development was better placed to encourage shoppers to visit the town centre because of its position on a key route linking Horncastle and Skegness. Aldi’s plans also feature a petrol station, public toilets and a tourist information hub, according to LincsOnline.
Councillor Richard Avison told the committee that Lidl’s planned Boston Road development would create greater traffic issues.
“Horncastle needs the biggest shot in the arm it can get,” he said. “Aldi will bring more trade to the town, and stop people from travelling to other towns to do their shopping.
“It will also capture trade on the main Skegness route, without adding to congestion pressure.”
Aldi and Lidl continue competing to open around 40 or more new UK stores this year (Image: Getty)
The decision comes as Aldi and Lidl continue competing to open around 40 or more new UK stores this year, placing the two discounters head-to-head for development sites nationwide. The Horncastle case reflects the growing competition between the retailers as both work towards long-term ambitions of operating 1,500 stores across the UK.
Aldi remains the larger chain, with 1,080 stores and a market share of 10.8%, compared with Lidl’s more than 1,000 stores and an 8.8% share. However, Lidl has been expanding at a faster rate. Over the past year its market share has increased by half a percentage point, while Aldi’s has fallen by 0.2 percentage points [Worldpanel 12 w/e 12 July 2026].
“This is fantastic news for Horncastle,” said Jonathan Neale, Aldi UK MD of national real estate. “After more than four years working alongside the local community, we are thrilled that the council has backed our plans and we are looking forward to getting started on our new store as soon as possible.
“We always believed Aldi was the right choice for Horncastle and we’d like to thank the nearly 900 residents who supported our application. We will begin work immediately and look forward to welcoming shoppers in the not-too-distant future.”
Aldi says the development received the backing of more than 900 local residents (Image: Getty)
According to Aldi, the development received the backing of more than 900 local residents and is expected to create 40 new jobs.
A Lidl spokesperson said: “Lidl is disappointed that members of East Lindsey District Council’s Planning Committee have refused the application to deliver a much-needed new Lidl foodstore for Horncastle. This is especially disappointing given the strong local support for the proposals, including almost 2,100 petition signatures, alongside hundreds of letters already submitted to the planning file.”
“Lidl shares the frustration of local residents and businesses who want to see greater shopping choice in the town. The proposals would have regenerated a vacant brownfield site, created local jobs and delivered a foodstore with the lowest assessed impact on Horncastle town centre. Time will now be taken to consider the next steps.”
The planning approval marks a turnaround for Aldi, which originally secured permission in 2022 before the decision was overturned by the High Court in 2024 after Lidl successfully challenged the ruling.
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