AN Aldi food store could be built at a former sweet factory in Poole - despite permission for a care home already being approved for the site.

The food store giant has applied to Borough of Poole to amend certain conditions on the existing permission for the former Parrs Confectionery site at Alder Road in Poole.

In 2016, the planning committee at Borough of Poole approved plans for a 70 bed residential care home and 32 extra care apartments.

It followed the closure of the Tangerine Sugar Confectionery factory, which shut in 2013 when manufacturing was moved across the country, with the loss of 75 full time jobs.

Now, Aldi say they have bought the site and want to demolish the buildings "as soon as possible".

In a letter to the planning department, their agent Planning Potential says: "Aldi Stores Limited has now acquired the site and is aware that it represents a security risk and has been attracting anti-social behaviour in recent months.

"As a result, Aldi wishes to demolish the existing buildings as soon as possible and prior to advancing a planning application for its own development on the site."

One comment on the application from a neighbour says: "At the moment whilst the buildings are there, the site is protected by security cameras directly linked to a security firm.

"Once the buildings are demolished, what security will the residents of Runton Road have? At the moment, there is no secure boundary fencing or wall to deter anyone from entering or exiting our properties."

An Aldi spokesperson said: “Aldi is interested in opening a new store in Poole, and is drawing up plans for the former Tangerine Confectionery site at Alder Road. Aldi is yet to submit a planning application for the new store and will be carrying out consultation with local people to hear their views ahead of finalising the proposals.

“The proposed Aldi would complement the existing shops on Redlands Retail Park and in the surrounding area, and provide Poole residents easier access to Aldi’s high quality, great value ranges, saving them time and money. The new store would also create up to 40 new jobs for local people.

"A planning application is expected to be submitted in the spring."

Discount supermarkets have been steadily gaining ground over their established rivals. There is already a Lidl a short drive from the proposed Aldi site, off Poole Road at Branksome. Lidl is itself just yards from a Tesco.

Both Sainsbury's and Tesco have announced job losses this year.

Family firm Parrs started in Parr Street, Lower Parkstone, after World War Two and relocated to Alder Road in the late 1960s.

It became the world’s biggest manufacturer of lettered rock, employing more than 200 people, before the rock-making was sold to a company that ceased trading in 2007.