Lidl’s proposal for a new supermarket faced rejection despite public support, mainly due to concerns about cycling safety and traffic congestion
Bournemouth: So, Lidl wanted to tear down the old retail park where Pets at Home and Pizza Hut are, right? They planned to build a shiny new supermarket instead.
James Mitchell, the regional head of property for Lidl, mentioned that the project got a ton of attention—over 5,000 responses during the consultation. Can you believe that?
Most folks were on board, with 86% in favor, but there were still some objections. It’s interesting how people feel about these things.
Mitchell pointed out that the feedback showed a real local desire for the store, saying it would help residents get good food at decent prices.
But despite all that support and a nod from a planning officer, the committee shot down the proposal. It was a close call, with five votes against and three for.
Then there’s Councillor Joe Salmon, who raised some serious concerns at the meeting. He talked about how dangerous the road is for cyclists and pedestrians.
He said, “I cycle along that road, and it is a death trap.” That’s pretty intense, right? He questioned why they’d ditch the idea of a cycle lane just for a bigger Lidl.
The planning committee took the highway authority’s advice and rejected the application. They felt the plan didn’t help the cycling and walking network and could make things worse.
There were also worries about traffic jams and parking issues, especially with the nearby Lidl on Wimborne Road. But Lidl argued that the student crowd in the area would keep their store busy.
Salmon added that Bournemouth is super congested, ranking third in the UK. He mentioned that the roads in question have seen over 40 accidents in the last five years, which is alarming.
He wrapped it up by saying this decision was a win for sustainable planning and community-focused development. It’s all about keeping the community safe and sound.
