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LIDL PLAN: Concerns raised at meeting
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| SITE PLAN: The proposed site in Bridport |
A PLANNING application for Bridport's fourth supermarket is due to be submitted shortly despite opposition that it is in the wrong part of town.
Speaking at the latest public meeting about the scheme Lidl bosses said an official application would be formally lodged with West Dorset District Council soon.
West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin called the meeting at Bridport Town Hall on Friday to address peoples' concerns. These included the traffic implications, chosen location, general design, reputation of Lidl and questions over the need for yet another supermarket in the town.
Some residents were also concerned about the possible loss of parking along the road and calls were renewed for a roundabout outside the Co-op store.
Simon Williams, of St Andrew's Road Residents Association, highlighted concerns about the chosen location. He said there was not room for a filter lane to stop traffic backing up along the main road, and also pointed out the lack of pedestrian refuge in the new 38m access proposed for Travis Perkins site and Co-op deliveries.
He also questioned the chosen site for the discount store saying that more central sites were available, notably the South West Quadrant. He added that the south west of town has a lower economic profile than the north east' and it would be nearer to those who may want to use it.
Lidl said the site was chosen due to the proximity of residential areas, and meant people would be able to get there without the use of a car if they wanted, either by walking or public transport. They also said they had taken into account planning policy when deciding on where to go.
Development executive James Mitchell, of Lidl, said: "We have been looking at Bridport since we came to this country 14 years ago. We did look at many sites. We believe this site is well situated and would also give people the opportunity to link their trip to nearby Co-op."
Mr Mitchell said that following people's comments at their well-supported public consultation day in April changes had been made to the elevations to make them less obtrusive, and that the ridge height of the middle section had been reduced. He said there were also plans for some trees to shield the site and said the firm would still be listening to peoples' views.
Responding to concerns about large lorries, Mr Mitchell said there would be just one delivery a day and Lidl could be flexible about time and ensure it was outside the busy school-run periods. He said the firm had generated traffic data as part of the planning process and this would be considered by the highway authority.
Council Ros Kayes, chairman of the town council's planning committee, said everyone was welcome to have their say when the plans are discussed by councillors.
But she warned the council would only be able to put forward its comments on legitimate planning issues and was not able to consider moral or ethical questions such as whether another supermarket was needed.
Mr Letwin said the meeting had been very useful and highlighted many of the concerns.
He said anyone with points to make could write to him at the House of Commons.
5:33pm Monday 12th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Bill Stanley, Bridport on 5:45pm Mon 12 May 08
Good luck to them - let's hope that it comes to pass despite the wailing of the doom merchants and anti-everything brigade who have nothing better to fill their waking hours than moaning and groaning about anything and everything.
Good luck to them - let's hope that it comes to pass despite the wailing of the doom merchants and anti-everything brigade who have nothing better to fill their waking hours than moaning and groaning about anything and everything.
Posted by: sue davison, austria on 8:00am Tue 13 May 08
SIMON WILLIAMS YOU REMARK THAT LIDL WOULD BE BETTER PLACED IN THE SOUTH-WEST QUADRANT, NEAR THOSE WHO WOULD USE IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK LIDL SELL FOR GOODNESS SAKE - CHEAP TACK!! LIDLS PRODUCTS ARE AS GOOD AS ANY TOP ENGLISH SUPERMARKETS. WE HAVE USED LIDL IN ENGLAND, GERMANY AND NOW IN AUSTRIA AND THEIR STANDARD IS THE SAME HIGH QUALITY IN ALL. I SUGGEST THAT WHEN IT IS OPEN IN BRIDPORT, YOU TAKE YOURSELF ALONG AND DARE TO BUY SOMETHING. THEN YOU'LL SEE HOW LUCKY BRIDPORT IS TO HAVE IT THERE. ESPECIALLY NOW WITH HOUSE BILLS SO HIGH.
SIMON WILLIAMS YOU REMARK THAT LIDL WOULD BE BETTER PLACED IN THE SOUTH-WEST QUADRANT, NEAR THOSE WHO WOULD USE IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK LIDL SELL FOR GOODNESS SAKE - CHEAP TACK!! LIDLS PRODUCTS ARE AS GOOD AS ANY TOP ENGLISH SUPERMARKETS. WE HAVE USED LIDL IN ENGLAND, GERMANY AND NOW IN AUSTRIA AND THEIR STANDARD IS THE SAME HIGH QUALITY IN ALL. I SUGGEST THAT WHEN IT IS OPEN IN BRIDPORT, YOU TAKE YOURSELF ALONG AND DARE TO BUY SOMETHING. THEN YOU'LL SEE HOW LUCKY BRIDPORT IS TO HAVE IT THERE. ESPECIALLY NOW WITH HOUSE BILLS SO HIGH.
Posted by: Jennie Roberts, Norfolk/Dorset on 10:47am Tue 13 May 08
We have a Lidl in Caister and it is true that they only have one delivery a day, unlike Tesco's down the road that have at least two bread deliveries in seperate lorries, 2 morning wave lorries, an afternoon lorry and then two maybe three lorries during night time and Caister Tesco's is a small store not an extra!!
I must admit I don't use the Lidl store all that much but I am all for free choice and when I'm home in Bridport shopping is **** expensive so I think its good to have a cheaper alternative.
As for the anti- everything brigade, they are probably the people who also moan about the rising cost of everything too.
We have a Lidl in Caister and it is true that they only have one delivery a day, unlike Tesco's down the road that have at least two bread deliveries in seperate lorries, 2 morning wave lorries, an afternoon lorry and then two maybe three lorries during night time and Caister Tesco's is a small store not an extra!!
I must admit I don't use the Lidl store all that much but I am all for free choice and when I'm home in Bridport shopping is **** expensive so I think its good to have a cheaper alternative.
As for the anti- everything brigade, they are probably the people who also moan about the rising cost of everything too.
Posted by: William in Dorset, Dorset on 12:52pm Wed 14 May 08
Please let us have a Lidl ANYWHERE close to Lyme. This high quality good value store is just what we need. If the people in Bridport dont want it look closer to Lyme Lidl. We need as much competition as we can get with supermarkets as Tesco is just too big and is the monopoly. Bridport moaners top moaning and be grateful Lidl want to come into Briport!
Please let us have a Lidl ANYWHERE close to Lyme. This high quality good value store is just what we need. If the people in Bridport dont want it look closer to Lyme Lidl. We need as much competition as we can get with supermarkets as Tesco is just too big and is the monopoly. Bridport moaners top moaning and be grateful Lidl want to come into Briport!
Posted by: Westie, West Dorset on 10:08pm Wed 14 May 08
In a previous comment regarding LIDL I asked how long it would be before the St Andrews Rd Residents Association found some reason for voting against this project, didn't take long did it. We need some alterations here at St Andrews/Sea Rd, so this may be the time to get it done, it is LONG overdue.
Simon Williams says that the site is not central, Simon why should it need to be... Morrisons isn't !! You saying the South West Quadrant is more central is totally incorrect..... who is it more central for then, are you saying the householders at Skilling are MORE likely to use Lidl that anyone else, this strikes me as being VERY snobbish and N.I.M.B.Y.ish.
ALSO, your quote about "No filter lane to stop traffic backing up" is absolute tosh, just look at the traffic problem at the aforementioned junction because traffic CANNOT get out due to the presence of a filter lane.... WE NEED EITHER TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR A ROUNDABOUT HERE, not people like you putting an obstacle in any which way you can.
Simon, for your benifit, I live in just off St Andrews Rd and am one of those who has to contend with this junction and those blessed so called speed humps outside the school, these should NOT have been put in place, similar measures to that in Skilling Hill Rd would have been much better.
In a previous comment regarding LIDL I asked how long it would be before the St Andrews Rd Residents Association found some reason for voting against this project, didn't take long did it. We need some alterations here at St Andrews/Sea Rd, so this may be the time to get it done, it is LONG overdue.
Simon Williams says that the site is not central, Simon why should it need to be... Morrisons isn't !! You saying the South West Quadrant is more central is totally incorrect..... who is it more central for then, are you saying the householders at Skilling are MORE likely to use Lidl that anyone else, this strikes me as being VERY snobbish and N.I.M.B.Y.ish.
ALSO, your quote about "No filter lane to stop traffic backing up" is absolute tosh, just look at the traffic problem at the aforementioned junction because traffic CANNOT get out due to the presence of a filter lane.... WE NEED EITHER TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR A ROUNDABOUT HERE, not people like you putting an obstacle in any which way you can.
Simon, for your benifit, I live in just off St Andrews Rd and am one of those who has to contend with this junction and those blessed so called speed humps outside the school, these should NOT have been put in place, similar measures to that in Skilling Hill Rd would have been much better.
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