A MONTH after BCP Council delayed a decision on plans for a new Aldi in Poole following a last-minute legal issue, the discounter has submitted a new proposal.

In response to the issues raised in July, the German chain has merged two separate applications for the Fleets Corner site.

It said the new application was “a robust and lawful submission” and that the new supermarket would “deliver significant investment and beneficial economic development”.

The council’s planning committee was due to be asked to grant planning permission at its July meeting but a decision was deferred after a legal issue was raised shortly before it was due to start.

Aldi had submitted two separate applications – one to vary an existing planning condition to use the Office Outlet unit and a second for minor work to accommodate a supermarket.

Council planning officers said the proposal would “deliver economic benefits” and complied with policies in a report published ahead of the meeting.

But concerns raised ahead of the meeting prompted the application to be withdrawn for discussion.

Instead, Aldi has now put forward a single scheme in a bid to overcome the concerns raised about the legality of its initial approach.

“It is considered that this full planning application represents a robust and lawful submission and the proposals comply with relevant planning policy criteria,” a letter submitted on behalf of the chain says.

“It will deliver significant investment and beneficial economic development through the refurbishment and re-use of an existing retail unit.”

The letter adds: “We are not aware of any material considerations that should alter [the planning] officer’s position and we therefore consider…that the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies.”

The application will be considered by council planning officers in the coming weeks.