AN appeal against Borough of Poole’s refusal to grant planning permission for a late-night supermarket at a former police station site has been rejected.

Government appointed planning inspector John Wilde dismissed the appeal for a Co-op store at Poole’s former Ashley Road police station on highway safety, character and appearance issues.

Shelia Newsum, who argued against the supermarket on behalf of her son – who lives opposite the development with his partner and young daughter –described the inspector’s decision as “a joyous victory”.

Mrs Newsum spoke on the supermarket proposal at Poole’s planning board in January.

Now she hopes other residents will attend planning meetings to voice their concerns “if faced with a similar situation of an unnecessary development being proposed in a residential area”.

Poole’s planning board ruled unanimously against the proposals in January, prompting developers to lodge an appeal.

Southern Co-operative wanted to open a convenience food store within the redevelopment of the former police station site.

They believed the proposed new store would have provided 20 full and part-time jobs.

The site has already been largely converted into residential apartments, for which planning permission has been granted.

Some neighbours were angered when they learned developers had lodged an application to include a late-night store, arguing the move would create problem and increase traffic congestion.

There were also worries the store could act as a magnet for noise and anti-social behaviour.

John Wilde, who visited the site last month, concluded: “I consider that the proposed layout would cause a significant detrimental impact to highway safety.”