Construction paused for new Lidl in Birstall over concerns about old mineworks
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year - but is being held up by concerns about old mineshafts below the site on Bankwood Way
Developers working on the new Lidl in Birstall are seeking approval for their latest plans after concerns over the area’s “coal mining legacy”.
In January 2026, Lidl GB officially began the main build phase of its new store on Bankwood Way at Birstall Retail Park. Since last summer, contractors have carried out extensive works to safely clear and prepare the site, in partnership with Cookridge Retail Developments.
The joint retail development with Home Bargains represents a multi-million-pound investment. Once opened, the two stores will create up to 110 new full and part-time jobs for the community.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with the latest application to Kirklees Council being one of the final roadblocks to overcome before construction can truly begin.
The latest application, on July 20, specifically seeks clearance for two environmental/groundwork safety conditions linked to prior concerns about instability caused by the area’s “coal mining legacy”.
According to the Combined Remediation Strategy, Drilling & Grouting Plan conducted by Remada Geo Consultants, the investigation recorded evidence of historic pillar and stall workings, and voids, at a shallow level.
An adit was also recorded in the northeast of the site, though targeted probe drilling did not locate the adit, suggesting it may have been removed.
The 62-page report made the final conclusions, however, that the discharge for the remediation criteria – including whether the cleanup/remediation work had been properly carried out and verified by environmental specialists – had been met.
The final recommendations included that areas of the site underlain by the Flockton Thin (shallow coal pits) and/or associated coal/seat earth workings should be “stabilised by drilling and pressure grouting” to prevent the risk of “surface instability”.
The report also noted the potential construction of “reinforced raft foundations”.
The final report summarised: “On completion of the works, a Verification Report will be compiled by Remada and submitted to the local authority to demonstrate that the remediation criteria have been met and to discharge relevant planning conditions.”
If the council approves this report, the Lidl site will be one step closer to beginning its actual construction.