Aldi gives update on plan for new Scarborough Eastfield store after setback
A budget supermarket chain has given an update on its plan to build a new store in Eastfield after facing a setback, when part of its proposal was refused by North Yorkshire Council.
In January, the council rejected Aldi’s prior notification for the demolition of two buildings as part of its scheme to build a supermarket at the former Driving Test Centre at Cayton Low Road, Eastfield.
The multi-national supermarket chain, now one of the UK’s “big four”, said it was “disappointed” but was still going ahead with the proposal.
However, in March, planning officers said that “prior approval of the method of demolition and any proposed restoration of the site is not required” and that the demolition “must be carried out within five years from the date when the application was submitted”.
According to a planning report, a notice displayed at the site “referred to Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and North Yorkshire Council”.
It was later replaced with a notice “referring to the correct council” by the applicant’s agent.
A spokesperson for the company said: “Aldi is progressing its plans for a new food store in Eastfield.
“The application was submitted to North Yorkshire Council (NYC) in June 2025, following an extensive consultation with the local community.
“Aldi was encouraged that from the 255 responses received, over 94 per cent were in favour of the plans.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the spokesperson added: “Aldi continues to work with NYC officers to progress the planning application for the store.”
The scheme could bring £7m of investment to the area, which is one of the most deprived in North Yorkshire and England.
Aldi’s has said that its proposals would deliver a “much-needed discount food store” on Cayton Low Road on a vacant site formerly used as a driving test centre and Goods Vehicle Testing Station.
The proposals include plans for a new food store with a net sales area of 1,228sqm, with 105 customer car parking spaces and six electric vehicle charging spaces.
The full planning application for the new store is open to representations from members of the public.
North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the plan.