Aldi leaves woman in tears as she breaks down over large noise of store's refrigeration units

A resident living opposite an Aldi store burst into tears during a local authority meeting as she described the relentless din emanating from the supermarket's cooling equipment.

Judith Richards, whose home faces the branch at Broughton Shopping Park in Bretton, addressed Flintshire County Council's planning committee about what she termed "industrial-scale" noise from the refrigeration units.

The supermarket chain has lodged a retrospective planning application seeking permission to replace its outdated external cooling system at the site.

New carbon dioxide refrigerant units, which are more environmentally friendly, are presently being fitted at the store, though some existing external machinery sits mere feet from neighbouring residential properties.

Ms Richards played a recording of the noise to committee members before breaking down in tears.

She informed the committee that retrospective planning consent had previously been granted in 2018 after the store was constructed 20 feet closer to homes than originally agreed.

She levelled criticism at both Aldi and the local authority, accusing the supermarket of failing to consult neighbours or secure planning permission before commencing work on the refrigeration replacement.

"The constant noise coming from the refrigeration units affects residents throughout the day when fridge and freezer doors are being constantly opened and into the early hours of the morning when restocking is taking place," she told councillors.

She said: "This is causing distress, disruption and impacts on quality of life and home environment. Yet despite repeated attempts by neighbours to resolve the matter with Aldi, there's been little meaningful engagement and no resolution."

Ms Richards also questioned the validity of a site visit conducted at 10am, arguing this represented the quietest period before doors had been opened.

"We all know our home fridges become noisy when the unit needs cooling down, imagine this on an industrial scale," she added.

She urged committee members to impose conditions that would "genuinely protect residents", including raising the acoustic fence several feet higher or installing barriers around all sides of the cooling equipment.

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James Borley, acting as Aldi's agent, maintained the company had worked constructively with local residents throughout the process.

"Aldi has sought to respond positively and responsibly throughout this process by working with Flintshire County Council officers and neighbours and has proposed additional mitigation where appropriate," he stated.

Mr Borley explained that three additional acoustic timber fences had been proposed to surround the two plant areas, reducing noise levels for residents on Simonstone Road and Vickers Way.

The replacement equipment would be quieter, more efficient and better for the environment, he added.

Councillor Gladys Healy voiced her support for Ms Richards, declaring: "If it was me [living] there, I would go mad."

An Aldi spokesperson confirmed the company had "engaged with the community" regarding the proposals and stated the replacement refrigerant units "will be quieter".

The planning committee ultimately voted to approve proposals for acoustic fencing along the southern and western boundaries of the store.

This decision will require formal ratification by the full council at a subsequent meeting. Mr Richards had also criticised the council for not attaching enhanced soundproofing conditions when granting the original consent.

He argued that residents deserved stronger protections from the persistent noise affecting their daily lives and home environment.