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16
Dec 2024
Harrogate businessman and Lidl get go-ahead to build new supermarket and care home
A Harrogate businessman has been given the go-ahead for a joint venture with Lidl to create a supermarket and care home in Wetherby.
Graeme Lee, chief executive of Springfield Healthcare, submitted a joint application with Lidl for the project just off the A58.
The scheme, which will involve the demolition of the Mercure Hotel, was rejected by Leeds City Council in 2023.
But the government’s Planning Inspectorate has sided in favour of the developers after a week-long inquiry.
Lidl said in a statement today it will now move forward with Springfield Healthcare on the multi-million-pound scheme.
Its new store will include a bakery, toilets and baby changing facilities.
The supermarket said its plans received "overwhelming local support, with almost 900 residents signing a petition or submitting letters to the council backing the project".
Spring Healthcare's Graeme Lee. A computer-generated image of what the Wetherby care home would look like.
'High quality care'
Springfield Healthcare will build an 84-bed care home and eight senior living eco-homes for over 55s.
Mr Lee, who owns Grove House, the grade two listed building off Skipton Road that was once the home of Harrogate mayor, inventor and philanthropist Samson Fox, said:
It’s terrific to receive planning permission for our innovative and exemplar care development in Wetherby. We’re sure it will have a tremendous impact within the community and will play a vital role in meeting the increasing local need for high quality care provision.
The development will be built at the Mercure Hotel site.
The news comes two months after Mr Lee sold luxury Harrogate care home Harcourt Gardens and five other care homes.
He retained ownership of Springfield Garforth Care Home in Leeds and domiciliary care business Springfield Home Care Services.
Mr Lee still plans to convert Grove House into a care complex consisting of 24 flats, a 62-bed care home and eight houses providing supported living for over-65s.
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