Aldi and Persimmon continue row over Costessey crossing

Aldi opened its new Costessey branch, at Longwater Retail Park, last July without the pedestrian crossing in William Frost Way not being constructed.

To compound the issue Aldi also tried to pull out of installing the crossing altogether, amid disagreements with housing developer Persimmon, leading to Norfolk County Council erecting barriers down the middle of the busy road to prevent people from crossing unsafely.

The pedestrian crossing, in William Frost Way, was due to be installed before Aldi opened (Image: Newsquest)

Now, after this newspaper's pledge to sort out the mess, Persimmon said it shares people's "desire to see the crossing delivered" but claims Aldi isn't holding up its end of the financial bargain.

A Persimmon Homes spokesman said: "Alongside South Norfolk Council and Norfolk County Council, we've made numerous efforts to engage the relevant party about the delivery of this joint scheme - in accordance with the requirements of our respective planning permissions. 
 
"We share local residents' desire to see the crossing delivered as soon as possible and have already fully funded the initial survey and design costs ourselves to try and get things moving.

"Regrettably, assurances on the required payments, in line with the planning permission for the other half of the costs, has not been forthcoming. 

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"We will continue to work with both councils and liaise with the other party to resolve this as soon as possible."

The bickering between the two parties has led to councillors and locals calling the whole situation a mockery (Image: Newsquest)

Aldi responded, with a spokeswoman saying: "We don’t recognise the developer’s description of the situation.

"We're continuing to work with the council and all relevant parties to ensure the crossing is delivered as soon as possible."

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The back and forth between the two companies has been labelled "a mockery" by councillors and locals alike.

People have been forced to walk along the centre of William Frost Way in order to cross the busy road (Image: Newsquest)

Last week Gary Blundell, district councillor for New Costessey, said: "The fact that these conditions were agreed upon as part of the planning process, yet remain unmet, makes a mockery of the system.

"It's unacceptable that they're allowed to delay, or disregard, these crucial conditions without facing any consequences."

Persimmon say assurances on the required payments in line with the planning permission for the other half of the costs has not been forthcoming (Image: Newsquest)

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