A supermarket giant wants to remove crucial planning conditions to build a "much-needed" pedestrian crossing on a busy road so it can open this summer.

The metal frame of Aldi is up in William Frost Way, Costessey, opposite Longwater Retail Park, after South Norfolk Council granted planning permission in April 2021.

Norwich Evening News: Building work on the new Aldi supermarket in William Frost Way, Costessey, Norwich.Building work on the new Aldi supermarket in William Frost Way, Costessey, Norwich. (Image: Denise Bradley)

But a key part of the approval included that a signalised crossing was completed before Aldi opened "in the interest of highway safety" on the 30mph stretch of road.

The crossing and who pays for it is also linked to the nearby 890-home Festival Park estate in Dereham Road, Easton, being built by Persimmon Homes Anglia after the council said the crossing would have to be built by whichever developer comes forward with their project first.

Norwich Evening News: How the new Aldi store will look in William Frost Way, Costessey, Norwich.How the new Aldi store will look in William Frost Way, Costessey, Norwich. (Image: Aldi)

Aldi has applied to remove these conditions, which has attracted objections from many people in the area and Norfolk County Council's highways department.

Rob Scadding, an associate for Planning Potential, Aldi's planning agent, said: "We have been monitoring the development at Easton led by Persimmon and their requirement to deliver a signalised crossing.

"It has also been confirmed the development has passed trigger points, which require the crossing.

Norwich Evening News: The area of William Frost Way in Costessey, Norwich, where people hope a new crossing will be built near the new Aldi supermarket.The area of William Frost Way in Costessey, Norwich, where people hope a new crossing will be built near the new Aldi supermarket. (Image: Newsquest)

"Aldi is likely to be in a position to open this summer. 

"Condition eight of Aldi’s application requires the crossing to be in place by the time of opening.

"Events have moved on and given that parallel discussions are taking place, it would not be logical for Aldi to provide what would be an interim solution."

A county council spokesman said a crossing scheme had been produced by Persimmon but the developer and Aldi had not yet agreed on funding for the design check so plans had not been approved.

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Norwich Evening News: Dan Burrill, Costessey Town Council chairman.Dan Burrill, Costessey Town Council chairman. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Dan Burrill, Costessey Town Council chairman, said: "We don't mind who builds it. It is a busy road. It is much-needed."

Fellow town councillor Gary Blundell added: "It is disheartening. We don't want anyone getting hurt or killed."