Lidl formally submits plans for a new Dorset supermarket

The German budget supermarket recently submitted formal plans to Dorset Council to build a new supermarket in Sandford, near Wareham after months of consulting residents on their thoughts. 

The site, which includes 114 parking spaces, an ‘indicative wildflower green roof’ and 40 new jobs, has received scores of comments from residents acknowledging their support and objection to the site in Sandford Road. 

Lidl, Sandford Road (Image: CGI by One Design Architects)

However, one local resident part of a website objecting to the supermarket in Sandford Road said she is “not anti-Lidl" but said there are “many reasons” for objection. 

She said: “Adding more delivery noise and cars to it is inappropriate firstly for safety reasons. A primary school is located on the same road and children walk or cycle to school. 

“It will have a detrimental effect on pollution from the traffic fumes, noise and light – this will cause problems with wildlife. 

“A lot of people think traffic will be reduced in Sandford because people won’t be travelling to Poole, but I think it will increase because people from Bovington and Swanage will be drawn to Canford when they wouldn’t ordinarily. 

Read more: Lidl announces plans to build a new store in Wareham

“The roundabout is dangerous enough. The small businesses in the area will be destroyed.” 

The woman added there are other suitable locations for Lidl to operate from but that a new location would “not be for her to comment on”. 

However, the majority of people said they approve of Lidl’s proposals. One man said: “Lidl would be a great benefit to the area.  

“It would provide an extra choice to our very limited grocery suppliers and also to a degree protect the environment as we won't have to travel so far to access our nearest Lidl.” 

“The alternative is a 10-mile drive to find a similar store and the cost of petrol makes this prohibitively expensive,” added one woman. 

Another woman said: “It would be an asset as long as the entrance & parking does not affect the traffic on the Sandford road and the properties in the area.” 

One couple said: “We currently have to travel to either Poole, Dorchester or Weymouth to purchase affordable food with a good range of branded and non-branded goods.  

“I feel this would reduce a lot of people's carbon footprint and overall reduce the amount of traffic passing through Sandford on the A351.”