Lidl Sandford recommended for refusal by Dorset Council

Plans for what would be the largest supermarket in the area have been labelled as “inappropriate” and “harmful” by Dorset Council planning officers Peter Walters and Naomi Shinkins. 

Lidl’s proposals for Sandford Road at Sibley Pottery Roundabout, Sandford, submitted a planning application in September 2022 and has split the opinion of Purbeck’s residents. 

Those against warn it will create more traffic, pollution, noise and would be a loss of green space but those in favour have said Purbeck could do with a budget supermarket, as the closest one is in Poole. 

Mr Walters and Ms Shinkins have written a report for councillors on Dorset Council’s planning committee suggesting the scheme should be refused. 

Sandford Road (Image: Daily Echo)

The officers cited four reasons for refusal, including the impact on the 1.25 hectares of green belt where the supermarket is being proposed and the impact on the character of Sandford. 

Both ward councillors Ryan Holloway and Beryl Ezzard have objected to the proposals as has Wareham St Martin Parish Council. 

More than 600 people wrote to Dorset Council about the scheme and one petition with 182 objectors was also handed in. 

Lidl GB’s head of property James Mitchell said there has been an “incredible amount” of positive feedback from 3,200 people during early consultation. 

Dorset Council’s planners said a new supermarket would be an “inappropriate development which is also harmful to the openness and visual amenities of this green belt area”. 

They added: “The harm that would result is not clearly outweighed by other considerations, individually or cumulatively, and therefore very special circumstances do not exist. 

“The proposed will result in a detrimental impact on the open character of the area and encroachment into open countryside.” 

According to the planners, Lidl was warned by Dorset Council ahead of formally submitting a planning application that its proposals would “unlikely to be supported”. 

They said: “The applicant was advised that the proposal did not accord with the development plan and was given the opportunity to address concerns.” 

Lidl has argued 40 jobs, including five full-time staff, would be employed and any loss of green space will be compensated for through a legal agreement as well as the incursion of a green roof and solar panels. 

This recommendation and the application will then be put to Dorset Council councillors at a committee meeting on November 6, where a result will be reached.