A SUPERMARKET giant has backed down after campaigners spent years opposing their plans to build a new store in Hoyland Common.

Lidl proposed the plans for a new store on Sheffield Road, off Birdwell roundabout, all the way back in 2021 and instantly faced opposition from locals.

After a small victory in December 2022 - when the German retailer temporarily withdrew plans only to resubmit them once again last June - campaigners have remained determined in their fight against the store.

Last week brought good news for them, as they succeeded in their goals with plans for the discount retail store and associated car parking withdrawn.

Local resident Sharon Townsend - who’s been fighting the development since the beginning of 2022 - told the Chronicle: “I feel fantastic.

“But it’s not just me, there’s a lot more people who are behind this campaign.

“My friend Jasmine Holt told me to keep on fighting when I was thinking of giving up so she’s been a real influence.

“Then there’s the residents of Regents Court who helped - it’s really more like a community project.

“I still feel like I’m in a dream.

“When I got the email last week I had to ask Jasmine if she could read it because I didn’t believe it.”

The plans were so heavily opposed due to increased traffic along the already busy Sheffield Road, and the effect this may have on pupils at Hoyland Common Primary School.

There were also fears surrounding the local post office, located in the nearby Co-op - residents were worried this new competition would run the Co-op out of business and take the area’s only post office with it.

“I wasn’t against a supermarket being built,” Sharon added.

“I like Lidl, I’m not against them as a supermarket - it’s about the location that they’ve chosen.

“There’s already too much traffic on the road and thinking about school kids who’ve got to cross it is worrying.

“It’s also a really nice area with lots of wildlife so we don’t want to lose that.

“If they want to build it then they’ll need to find somewhere else - there’s lots of space near Evri that could be used.

“I imagine they might try to apply again, and if they do I’m not going to give up.

“We’re going to keep fighting this.”