This just in from Aldi:
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They could have delayed the opening the store until main power was available.
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I have literally no idea how the planning \ approval works for such instances, but it seems incredible in this day and age this is permitted. Iâd understand if there was a temporary issue with the mains supply after they had opened and they need a short-term fix to stay open \ save the food from perishing, but this sounds like they knew their would be no mains supply and it appears no prospect of it anytime soon.
Well done on getting the reply whoever was involved in that.
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As far as I can see there were only two Planning Applications relating to Aldiâs use of the site - the two applications referred to in earlier posts.
https://planning.lewisham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=_LEWIS_DCAPR_101586
DC/19/113670 | Construction of new GRP electrical substation enclosure and associated concrete hard standing at UNIT 1 AND 2, BELL GREEN RETAIL PARK, BELL GREEN, SE26. | UNIT 1 AND 2, BELL GREEN RETAIL PARK, BELL GREEN, LONDON, SE26 4PR
And the earlier one, for the change of use âŚ
DC/18/108701 | Change of Use of the vacant âToys R Usâ (A1 Use Class Non-Food) to an Aldi (A1 Use Class Food) with alterations to the front and side elevations and the erection of a delivery pod to the rear, together with other ancillary alterations at units 1 and 2 Bell Green Retail Park, SE26. | UNIT 1 AND 2, BELL GREEN RETAIL PARK, BELL GREEN, LONDON, SE26 4PR
Whether thereâs anything in the DC/18/10870 application documents that covers power, I donât know. But there is a lengthy acoustic report, which as far as I can see didnât anticipate an extra electrical sub-station. The acoustic report probably wouldnât make a lot of sense now that so much has changed on the site.
There is further information here about the discharge of Conditions relating to Noise and Vibration. But again I donât know if it anticipates the sub-station (lots of documents) âŚ
DC/19/110968 | Details submitted in compliance of Condition 3 (Noise & Vibration) and Condition 4 (Cycle Parking) of the planning permission DC/18/108701 granted 16/11/2018 for the change of Use of the vacant âToys R Usâ (A1 Use Class Non-Food) to an Aldi (A1 Use Class Food) with alterations to the front and side elevations and the erection of a delivery pod to the rear, together with other ancillary alterations at units 1 and 2 Bell Green Retail Park, SE26. | UNIT 1 AND 2, BELL GREEN RETAIL PARK, BELL GREEN, LONDON, SE26 4PR
The Lewisham Planning Case Officer for the first two links listed was Lewis Goodley. The Officer for the Conditions Discharge application was Joe Higgins. If either of them is still around they may be able to advise.
Or the original complainant could talk to her Ward Councillors:
cllr_jacq.paschoud@lewisham.gov.uk
CllrSue.Hordijenko@lewisham.gov.uk
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Yep. It appears a standard response they are sending out now.
Iâm finding it really hard to believe that a multinational like Aldi could purchase a site, refurbish and refit it, then stock it and open it - all before theyâd sorted out power supply issues!
Either Iâm being super naive, or Aldi have been very remiss in their planning - or thereâs something that we still arenât being toldâŚ
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Did Toys R Us run on mains power ?
Probably but Aldi would have a much bigger load due to freezers and fridges.
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Disappointing that Aldiâs initial default response was to lie.
Has anyone raised this issue with local councillors of the area?
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The SGasworks seems to be doing a good job keeping up the campaigning:
Also quite insightful that Travis Perkins are moving down to avoid the ULEZ extension⌠unintended consequences I guess 
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Moving from where?
When Travis Perkins open at Bell Green are they closing Forest Hill branch ?
Maybe just moving âinâ? I donât know if Travis Perkins are moving âfromâ anywhere, but they already own Toolstation, also on the Bell Green Retail Park, and are looking to imminently âdemergeâ from Wickes which is just up the road towards Catford, as well as the Malham/Stanstead Road Travis Perkins @se23blue mentions.
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The SGasworks account suggested TP were moving to Bell Green to avoid the ULEZ. I asked them which one and they said Catford. TP have confirmed that neither Catford SE6, or event Forest Hill SE23 (both inside the ULEZ) are closing.
So I guess just another Travis Perkins location at Bell Green.
Doesnât it seem unlikely that Travis Perkins would confirm a store closure when the replacement hasnât even broken ground yet? Not that I donât trust corporate PR departments (ahem - Aldi with 100% green power, to circle back to the topic at hand!)
Time will tell what the eventual outcome is, but I would speculate the area might be a bit dense with Travis Perkins retail if/when a new one opens on Bell Green Retail park.
James Evans tweets about a planning application from Aldi for the âtemporary 12 monthâ installation of generators in an enclosure at the store front:
The application is DC/20/115852 and looks very much like a retrospective application for the present installation, though doesnât exactly acknowledge this - itâs also unclear, if granted, when the 12 months of permission would be counted to start.
Currently there are 2 objections registered on the website.
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The status of the planning application for the generators was updated yesterday:
| Status | Decided |
| Decision | Withdrawn by Applicant |
| Decision Issued Date | Tue 25 Aug 2020 |
The application was received on 24 Feb 2020 and was for a 12 month temporary installation of the generators. 6 months later the application has been withdrawn with 5 objections listed on the Councilâs website.
I canât help but feel disappointed that the planning application wasnât reviewed at least within the normal 3 month timeframe and the diesel generators stopped.
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I still canât believe anyone would use diesel as a primary power generation source!
I did note your post from Feb - I had no idea Sainsburyâs had so many panels on the roof - they must have a few hundred! Thatâs at least half a MegaWatt I would think. I canât find anything online about it so I presume itâs private and they use it to power the store. Excellent. Plenty of space to add some more too. Aldi should get with the program.
Also google need to update their imagery - the gas holders are still there, gone in real lifeâŚ
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If we assume 200W/m2 at peak times they would require a 50*50m2 panel. Would be nice to have 1/2 MW
I was assuming 150w per panel. Lost count around 100 panels. Estimated 3-400. Guessing 1/2 MW