Bournemouth councillor relieved over new Lidl store postponement

Local councillor, Joe Salmon,  feels “relief” over new Lidl store being pushed back.

An application was submitted last week for approval of the store on Westover Retail Park, but the planning committee deferred the decision to a later date.

Lidl first applied to build a new supermarket in 2023, but the proposal was rejected due to a failure to provide land for a walking and cycling network.

Councillor Joe Salmon has said: “It’s a massive sense of relief that we managed to get the deferral. There was an acknowledgement that the objection was genuine.

“As much I am concerned about the high street and the impact it would have. I would like to see the high street protected, along with the small independent businesses, to be protected. The delay was a little win.”

An amended proposal in April last year included a cycle route on Castle Lane West, reducing the size of the store and car park.

Three objections were raised in the meeting, including Salmon and rival supermarket Tesco.

One of the reasons for the deferral was due to concerns that the space wasn’t being used for housing.

The Green Party councillor added: “It was good to see the officers and applicant that this site needs to be used for housing.”

The plans have been deferred until next month, which backs the delay in the supermarket.

“There is nothing to stop them from building that superstore. If they tick all the right boxes.

“It’s down to councillors like me to call it in if it’s not up to standard.” Joe Salmon added.

While the push back means local businesses won’t have to worry for now, the store could be approved if it meets the application needs.

“There is still a chance an application can come back that is detrimental to Wimborne Road.

“If an application comes back that meets the mixed-use objection, then that will probably be approved regardless of the impact on the high street.”

Many of the local businesses in the area aren’t aware of the plans for the new Lidl store.

The concern lies with the councillor over the impacts on the high street and the lack of local housing.