Lidl thanks 80 per cent of people who wanted their new shop

Councillors were split on whether the new supermarket planned for Sandford Road, Sandford, should be given permission. 

The deciding vote at a committee meeting on November 6 was a vote in favour by chairman David Tooke. 

A spokesman for Lidl told the Echo the company is a “little way off” being able to confirm a timeline in the run-up to the supermarket's opening. 

Ferndown’s Lidl took about nine months to construct, and that included the demolition of the former building. 

Land off Sandford Road where the shop will be built (Image: Daily Echo)

Lidl’s spokesman said: “We’re delighted to have achieved approval on our plans to bring a new store to Sandford. 

“With nearly 80 per cent of residents in support, it’s clear there is a strong need for affordable groceries in the area.  

“This multi-million-pound investment is set to deliver 40 new jobs, with new colleagues receiving one of the highest pay rates in the sector.  

“We would like to thank everyone who has expressed support, and we look forward to keeping the community updated.” 

Lidl has claimed that shoppers would have to do 1.5 million fewer miles to commute to a Sandford supermarket and in turn save more than 400 tonnes of CO2. 

Residents in the Purbeck region have only had a medium-sized Sainsbury’s in Wareham or Poole and Upton to choose from. 

Chief concerns from objectors included building on green belt land off Pottery Roundabout and the extra traffic to “one of the busiest roads in Dorset”. 

Because the development is more than the 1,000 sq m limit development limit for green belt land, the secretary of state Angela Rayner will have to agree to it. 

And an assessment done by consultancy firm Mayer Brown said the roundabout is “predicted to continue to operate within capacity” once the supermarket is open. 

During the consultation, Co-op, which has a store close by in North Street, Wareham, and Sandford Road, said there is “no need for an additional food store in Purbeck”. 

But Lidl said Co-op is “looking to safeguard their market share from a competitor”.