PLANS to build a Lidl store in Sandford near Wareham have been granted planning permission – despite officers previously recommending refusal.

The move by the supermarket giant to introduce a store in the area had been a source of controversy as despite the plans receiving a majority support by residents, Dorset Council officers raised concerns with building on green belt land.

The store, which would be the first discount supermarket in the Purbecks, now has planning permission to build on land east of Sandford Road in Sandford which they say would provide 35 part-time and five full-time jobs

The plans, first submitted in September 2022, were approved following a two hour debate at Dorset Council’s Eastern Area Planning Committee yesterday (November 6), with chairman councillor David Tooke casting the deciding vote after councillors were split five to five.

More than 4,000 comments were received in relation to the application – with 79% of those in support of the scheme, and only 1.5% concerned with the impact of the green belt.

Concerns over damage to the green belt were heard at the meeting, but no objections had been received from the council’s highway department, Natural England or the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Planned layout for the site Picture: One Design Architects

Speaking about the lack of issues raised by these bodies, councillor Spencer Flower concluded there would be a “limited impact” on the green belt.

Lidl’s regional head of property James Mitchell said the proposed site location would likely be classified as grey belt in the upcoming National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) revision due to the “limited contribution it makes to green belt objectives.”

Mr Mitchell argues it would be a “waste of time” for the plans to be refused as Lidl would appeal the decision and simply submit new plans once the latest NPPF has been published, which is expected to before January 2025.

He added that the store would reduce shoppers travel by 1.5 million miles per year in travel, with most residents travelling further afield to do their shopping.

Residents who attended the meeting to voice their support for the plans supported this sentiment.

One resident David Stewart said: “There is an overwhelming support for the Lidl store in Wareham – its massive.

“We have four major supermarkets – two in Swanage and two in Wareham. These are basically High Street shops with little to no parking facilities available.”

He added that 55% of shoppers travel to Poole via the A351 to access supermarkets which he says results in approximately 8,000 cars travelling both ways “just to do their shopping each week”, and the Lidl store would help to reduce shoppers’ carbon footprint.

However, concerns were raised that the new store could exacerbate traffic issues on the A351.

Councillor John Williamson from Wareham St Martin Parish Council said the area is often heavily congested, with a half mile queue on the Upton bypass with motorists waiting to get on the A351 seen in July, which he said would only get worse if the store is built.