The supermarket chain Lidl is holding a public consultation to gauge local support for a plan to build a new store at Sandford near Wareham.
Ahead of submitting a planning application to Dorset Council, the discount retailer says it would like to know what the community thinks about its proposal.
Public consultation
The plan is to build a new foodstore on a site just off Sandford Road. When travelling towards Poole, the plot is on the right, just before The Sandford pub.
The site is next to The Sandford pub and it’s proposed that access will be off the Sibley Pottery Roundabout
Proposal for the site
- A 1,411 square metre sales area including a bakery, longer style tills with dual packing, and customer toilets
- 114 parking spaces including accessible, parent and child and electric vehicle charging spaces
- Cycle parking in a prominent location at the front of the store
- Significant new landscaping and planting across the site, and the retention of existing hedgerows along Sandford Road, will protect views to and from the store
- Direct access from Sandford Road
- The store will have a green roof which helps protect views into the site
- Solar (photovoltaic) panels on the store roof, in-keeping with Lidl’s commitment to sustainability
Proposed plan of the new store and parking
Good quality products at low prices
Lidl has operated in Great Britain since 1994 and currently has more than 26,000 employees, 900 stores and 13 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.
Along with its main supermarket competitor Aldi, it has a reputation for providing good quality products at low prices.
The company has distributed leaflets to nearby homes and put information about the proposal online.
“Significantly improve shopping options”
In the documents it says:
“A new Lidl store on this site would provide competition and significantly improve shopping options and choice for local people.”
Currently, the local supermarket options are Sainsburys and the Co-op in Wareham or Budgens and the Co-op in Swanage.
There’s also a small Co-op in Sandford. If this plan gets the go ahead, it would be the first budget supermarket in the area.
Lidl is well known for its middle aisle stocking seasonal products
Local employment opportunities
A new supermarket would also increase local employment opportunities. According to Lidl it says it is committed to increasing wages in line with the cost of living. Entry-level pay outside of London is £10.10 per hour rising to £11.40, depending on length of service.
Once the consultation is completed, Lidl says it will submit a detailed planning application for the new Lidl store to Dorset Council, who will then make a decision on whether to approve the proposals.
Further information
- More about the proposal is on Lidl’s website
- To let Lidl know your views, email southampton.property@lidl.co.uk
