Aldi's plans for Alder Road turned down

BCP Council’s planning committee refused permission for its planned Alder Road shop on Thursday after being told it conflicted with the allocated use of the land for a care home in the local plan.

A spokesman for Aldi said they were “extremely disappointed” with the decision and that the German discounter was considering its next steps.

Concerns had been raised by the company about the speed at which its application was being determined, having submitted its application 18 months ago.

It had hoped to open a new supermarket on the former Parrs Confectionery site and last month threatened to withdraw its plans if a decision was further delayed.

The application was put forward for a decision by councillors on Thursday with a recommendation that it be refused.

Council planning officer Steve Llewellyn said the proposal went against policies in the Poole Local Plan which allocates the land for a care home.

He also raised concerns about the impact the supermarket would have on Aldi’s existing Wallisdown store.

“The proposal would result in the development of the site for a use for which there is no objectively assessed need at the expense of the site allocation for which there is a clearly identified need,” he said.

“In the absence of adequate evidence to justify why the strategic allocation is not needed, the proposed development is contrary to the Poole Local Plan.”

Fears about the impact increased traffic would have on surrounding roads were dismissed.

Mr Llewellyn’s position was backed by committee members on Thursday who agreed to refuse planning permission for the development.

Speaking following the decision, the Aldi spokesman said: “We still firmly believe the site provides a clear opportunity to positively regenerate a dilapidated brownfield site with a discount community food store and will be reviewing our options on the site over the coming weeks before making a decision on a way forward.”