A SUPERMARKET war has erupted between two of the largest retailers over plans for a new shop in Bournemouth.
Tesco has said it has made a “significant investment” in Bournemouth with its Kinson supermarket before Lidl submitted plans for a new store at Westover Retail Park, Castle Lane West.
It fears the plans would have a “significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of town centres”.
Earlier this year, Lidl filed plans to demolish the existing retail park, home to Pets at Home, Pizza Hut and the first-ever Prama superstore, and replace them with a new-look store.
Tesco – which has a supermarket less than two miles away – has written a formal letter of objection to Lidl’s proposals.
A letter from Martin Robeson Planning Practice said the supermarket has objected for two reasons: a failure to undertake a retail impact statement and risk of significant adverse impact and a failure to optimise the use of land in conflict with the National Planning Policy Framework.
It adds: “The applicant’s agent fails to note that Winton is a defined district centre, within the third tier of centres set out within the core strategy.
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“The retail and leisure study confirms that the Lidl store performs an ‘anchor’ role for the Winton centre.
“The unknown but presumably significant trade draw from the Lidl in Winton would certainly result in an adverse impact upon Winton as a centre.
“It is also noted that, despite their proximity, Winton does not feature within the area of the sequential search undertaken by the applicant’s agent.”
Lidl’s other supermarket in the area, on Wimborne Road, Winton, is just 1.3 miles away from Westover Retail Park.
The letter went on to add Bournemouth is in a “particularly poor position in respect of both the supply of housing land and housing delivery”.
It pointed out a planning policy which said proposals should “use retail and employment land for homes in areas of high housing demand”.
In a design and access statement, Lidl said: “The site is subject to differing constraints and opportunities.”
The budget German supermarket added up to 40 new and part-time jobs could be made should permission be granted at a hearing in next year.
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