Lidl unveils plans to build new Surrey store with 20 apartments
A budget supermarket giant could be coming to a former Homebase in a Surrey market town.
German grocery store Lidl could take over the old DIY centre on New Zealand Avenue in Walton-on-Thames.
The old Homebase store closed in March 2020 and the building has subsequently been demolished, according to planning documents.
The current plot has been vacant for five years and remains surrounded by hoarding.
But now, the old site could be given a new lease of life as a bank account-friendly supermarket in the centre of Walton-on-Thames.
Featuring the iconic middle aisle, Lidl’s popular bakery, and customer toilets with baby-changing facilities, the proposed supermarket could be the newest addition to Walton’s high street.
The store’s plans also include rapid electric vehicle charging points, as well as dedicated accessible and parent-and-child parking bays and covered bicycle parking.
The developer has asked Elmbridge Borough Council for a formal opinion on what information it should include for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – this is called ‘scoping’ – ahead of a planning application.
But the applicant’s agent argues an EIA is not needed given the context for the site.
While details are scarce, the proposal is likely to comprise a foodstore, car parking as well as up to 20 new apartments.
Car parking will be reduced from the original 146 spaces for Homebase to 95 for the proposed new Lidl.
The scheme will also include trolley bays and cycle parking.
Alongside the food store the German supermarket is also looking at proposing two apartment blocks, two to three storeys tall, accommodating up to 20 new flats at the south of the site.
The apartments would be served by a new access off Ashley Park Avenue, and car parking spaces and external amenity space would be available on-site for the residents, planning documents state.
Consultation documents from June 2025 said the development will also feature solar panels to help power the store, and ‘thoughtfully designed’ landscaping to spruce up the surrounding area.
The area stands to gain up to 40 new jobs if the application for the proposed multi-million-pound development is to be granted by the council
Just outline plans, Lidl is expected to submit a formal application later on in the year.