Delight as store is given approval

After initially knocking back the application in January, Poole planning chiefs gave the thumbs-up to the scheme in front of a packed meeting at Town Hall.

A petition of more than 3,000 signatures had been received in support of the development, which will be built on the long-derelict site on the corner of Blandford Road and Allens Lane.

As well as the 1060 sqm Lidl store, a two-storey industrial unit is also planned for the site to expand the headquarters of Poole stationery company Pukka Pads.

Cllr Mike White, ward councillor for Hamworthy East, said: "This is great news for the people of Hamworthy.

"It provides significant employment and a much-needed retail facility in upper Hamworthy."

Hamworthy West councillor Mike Watkins said the designated gateway to Hamworthy was currently an "eyesore", while Cllr Tony Trent described the food offering in that part of Poole as "appalling".

Hamworthy currently has no major food store after a fire gutted the Co-Op in September.

The main reason behind the council's initial refusal of the scheme was a loss of land designated for employment.

Officers also feared a negative effect on the "vitality and viability" of Hamworthy's local centre', based around the Co-Op store.

Lidl development executive Jason Gratton said there would be no loss of employment, with up to 116 jobs created on the site.

He said: "We are absolutely delighted the support of the residents and the ward councillors has been recognised.

"The fact the local authority has secured a significant amount of employment and is supporting the expansion of Pukka Pads is fantastic.

"It will substantially benefit Poole as a whole."

Pukka Pads' office is currently based in Hamworthy, but their rapidly expanding business is in need of larger premises.

Approval for the development now needs rubber-stamping by the government's south-west office as the use of land strays from the council's Local Plan.