A SUPERMARKET chain has made an audacious bid to demolish a library, pub, and a bowling green in west York - to make room for a new superstore.

In a letter to council property chiefs, German shopping giants Lidl vowed to build a bigger and better library on the same site in Acomb as part of any development.

Under the proposals, they would flatten the existing Acomb Library, in Front Street, Acomb, along with the bowling green behind it and the pub next door, The Marcia Grey.

Lidl's offer has taken City of York Council by surprise as they have already secured £600,000 to create a new library learning centre at its present site in Front Street.

Council bosses have secured a capital grant from the Learning And Skills Council, which will enable them to create a suite of learning rooms, as well as extending the existing computer training suite and redesigning the library.

Council leader Steve Galloway said there were serious concerns over the supermarket plan, relating to traffic and its effect on the conservation area.

He also revealed that the plan could only go ahead if Lidl agreed to site the council's Acomb office, which is currently just off Carr Lane, at Front Street as part of the development.

Coun Galloway said residents had been leafleted to get their views on the issue. They have been asked to vote on three options, which are:

  • Go ahead with the original library learning centre plan
  • Build a new library and Lidl supermarket on the site
  • Put the site on the open market.

Coun Galloway said library facilities would be radically improved if the supermarket plan went ahead.

"I'm very sceptical about the proposal because of its impact on Front Street," he said.

"At the moment, this is just an idea. If residents tell us they don't want another supermarket, then the matter has got no future.

"Lidl now have to talk to the council and come up with something that would address the conservation and traffic issues."

Chris Myers, who lives next door to the library, said he would benefit from extra parking and lighting if Lidl got its way.

"It would be a shame to lose the pub, but there are others in the area," he said.

"I have worries about the supermarket being an eyesore and its affect on property prices."

The Marcia Grey's landlady, who recently took over the pub, said that she was aware of the plans but had no comment to make on the matter.

A City of York Council spokesman said: "The council has money from the Learning And Skills Council, together with match funding from the council itself, to refurbish and extend Acomb library.

"The aim is to open the improved library, which would incorporate a Learning Centre, in January, 2008.

"We would consider any other offers for the site, but any other offer would have to meet this very tight timescale."

No one from Lidl was available for comment.

Luke Farrington asked people outside the library what they thought about the plan.

Michael Lawson, 65, a garden centre worker, of Tadcaster, said: "We like coming to the pub on the site. It's nice to get out and go there for a meal. Acomb doesn't need another supermarket, but the library does need to be improved - it isn't big enough."

Faye Brevitt, 30, a housewife, of Acomb, said: "Acomb needs another supermarket. I don't use the pub or the bowling green, so the loss of them wouldn't affect me too much. We've got enough pubs anyway. The supermarkets are always full, so we could do with another one."

Mary Wardle, 60, of Acomb, said: "I wouldn't have a problem with any changes, as long as it is done so that it fits in with the local area. I've never been in the pub, so I wouldn't miss it. I think it could be a boost for this part of Acomb, as there isn't much at this end."

Tony Arrowsmith, 77, retired, of Woodthorpe, said: "Getting rid of the pub and bowling green would be a serious loss to the area. I am puzzled as to why they have chosen to do this. I would welcome improvement of the library though."