Wareham Lidl store APPROVED

A Lidl store at Sandford, Wareham has been approved by Dorset Council, despite being recommended for refusal today (Wednesday 6th November).

The 1.25 hectare site, east of Sandford Road and south of Pottery Lines, has attracted over 600 public comments – both objections as well as supporters.

Many were concerned about the likely impact of the store on the town centre and on adjacent sites of special scientific interest, including Sandford Heath and Morden Bog.

Supporters say the store would offer the area a wider choice of goods and bring jobs as well as reduce the need to travel into Poole, Wareham or Swanage, where car parking fees are seen as an unnecessary additional cost.

The store was first proposed in July 2022 with Lidl’s agents challenging all of the claims made against the development.

The proposal for the 2,270 square metre store includes 112 car parking spaces with Lidl saying it will employ 35 part time and 5 full time staff.

Dorset Council officers say the eastern area planning committee, which is due to meeting in Wimborne, should reject the Lidl proposal because of the damage to the Green Belt.

A report to councillors say that if the committee agrees to the proposal it will have to be referred to the Secretary of State because the development is in excess of the 1,000 square metre limit for development within a Green Belt.

The site is close to the Sandford pub, off the A351 and adjacent to the Sibley Pottery roundabout which leads to the B3075 Morden Road.

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