LIDL has submitted an application to Middlesbrough Council to demolish the former art college in Linthorpe next month.

The supermarket chain hopes to build on the old Northern School of Art campus, however it caused controversy after it felled trees soon after buying the land.

In the application to the council it states that it wants to start the demolition on Monday, January 10 and expects it to be finished by the end of the month.

Read more: More anger after Lidl cuts down trees in Middlesbrough

The Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald has said that he will do all he can, alongside the community, to stop a store from opening on the site.

Mr McDonald said: “It is not the demolition of the Art College that concerns me, it is what goes in its place.

“The community have been very clear that sawing down ancient trees in the dead of night was an indication of how Lidl intend to go about their business.

“A store on that site is not what people want. The community will fight Lidl all the way on this and I will do all I can to assist them.”

Lidl has previously said that the new development would include a comprehensive planting scheme to mitigate the initial loss of any trees.

Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston has also said that he doesn’t think the site is appropriate for the store.

He added: “While I’m certainly not against supermarkets or Lidl in particular, I’ve made it clear that this site isn’t suitable for any supermarket, in my opinion.

“If you’re against the opening of a Lidl on this site, I’d urge you to ignore the characters who are falsely trying to make this a political matter and focus on making your opinions loud and clear in whichever way you can.”

Previously, Mr McDonald and Mr Preston have traded blows over where the blame lies for this new development.

The MP has accused the Mayor of leaving the area without protection as he hasn’t adopted a new Local Plan since being in office meaning the 2014 one is still being used.

In 2018, the council’s Labour administration drafted an updated Local Plan which included proposals for 26 homes on the former art campus site.

However, it was thrown out when Mr Preston, who is an independent, was elected in 2019 after he pledged to rethink developments that the council was not legally bound to.

The mayor has said that Mr McDonald’s comments are misleading and he is playing politics over the issue.

Linthorpe councillor Philippa Storey said that the former art college building does need to come down but she will be ensuring that all the safety protocols are followed due to concerns around asbestos in the building.

According to the documents submitted on behalf of Lidl, an approved licensed asbestos removal contractor will be appointed to remove all asbestos containing materials before the demolition starts.

Lidl has been contacted for comment.

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