Lidl store approved despite green belt concerns

The proposed Lidl store in Wareham had been recommended for rejection due to its position in a green belt area

A Lidl store in a residential area on the green belt has been given the go ahead despite being recommended for refusal by council officers.

Dorset Council's area planning committee debated the development of the store in Sandford for two hours.

The store was approved on the casting vote of the chairman, councillor David Tooke, following a 5-5 vote.

The committee was told the new store could save local shoppers 1.5 million miles (2.4 million km) a year in travel.

The proposed site is close to the Sandford pub, off the A351 and adjacent to Sibley Potter roundabout

Concerns were raised during the committee meeting about the store attracting more traffic to the Purbecks, causing harm to the green belt and a nearby site of special scientific interest.

Lidl has said the "majority" of the 4,000 local people it had consulted were in support of the store plans.

The proposed site will be near the Sandford pub, off the A351 and adjacent to the Sibley Potter roundabout, which leads to the B3075 Morden Road.

More than 700 public comments have been made on the application, mainly in support, but local councillors have objected to the store.

Dorset Council officers told the eastern area planning committee at a meeting in Wimborne on Wednesday the store should be rejected because of the damage to the green belt.

Councillors debated the store development for two hours before casting their vote

Lidl's regional head of property, James Mitchell, told the meeting if the scheme was refused the company would "have no option but to appeal".

Former council leader, councillor Spencer Flower, said there had been no objections from Natural England, highways or the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

He said he could "only conclude" there was a limited impact on the green belt and the store would reduce the number of car trips for local people.

He added: "I think there is a net benefit here for people who have to go out of the area to shop."

Residents at the meeting told councillors there was "overwhelming support" for the store, with the area having limited shopping choices.

Wareham councillor, Beryl Ezzard, said the store site was in the "wrong place", telling councillors it would "spoil" Sandford.