Eco & Environment, Wimborne | Posted on September 3rd, 2025 | return to news

Despite local opposition green light for Aldi Canford Bottom supermarket

After much debate at the Dorset Council planning committee meeting today (3 September), permission, with conditions, has been granted.

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

In a meeting lasting more than two-and-a-half hours in which a number of people spoke against the proposal, members of Dorset Council’s Eastern Area Planning Committee decided in favour of the construction of an Aldi supermarket at Canford Bottom.

The voting of five in favour and two against was contrary to the recommendation of council officers.

The development, part of which is within the South East Dorset Green Belt, would provide full time employment for 30-35 people and the provision of 120 car parking spaces.

However, there are 32 conditions and it will be referred to the Secretary of State.

The application detailed a proposal to demolish the existing buildings at 26, Canford Bottom and to construct a retail store with associated parking and landscaping.

The council received 350 objections to the proposal, with 174 people saying they were in support of the development.

In a detailed presentation, case officer Diana Mezzogori-Curran said that there were a number of reasons that the application had been recommended for refusal.

They were:

The development is considered to be inappropriate development, which is by definition harmful to the Green Belt.
Impact on the openness of the Green Belt.
Loss of employment land without sufficient justification.
Very special circumstances do not exist, as the harm to the openness of the Green Belt, the harm to the character of the area and any other harm is not clearly outweighed by the proposed benefits.

Ms Mezzogori-Curran said that the proposal woud have a visual impact on the rural character of the site and there would be a permanent loss of openness.

She added that the provision of a new local supermarket would exceed demand.

Eighty-seven trees would be removed, but these are not high category trees.

Amongst the comments from residents was the fact that the entrance was too close to the roundabout; there would be an increase in traffic noise; the supermarket would be in the wrong location; it would set a dangerous precedent in the green belt; the roundabout was already over stretched and that 120 car parking spaces wouldn’t be enough.

However, one resident spoke in favour of the development saying there was a desperate need in the area for affordable shopping.

Cllr KD Johnson speaking on behalf of Colehill Parish Council said: “Traffic will grind to a halt. It will impact on local convenience stores one of which is within 200 metres. These are local shops for local people. Aldi will be a detriment to the village.”

Dorset Council ward councillor for Colehill and Wimborne East Andy Todd said: “The site will look and feel urban and bring the village into an urban sprawl. Residents are very concerned.”

Cllr Alex Brenton, a member of the committee said: “People tell me they need affordable shopping.”

Opposing the plan, Cllr Beryl Ezzard said she was concerned about the number of objections from residents.

She said: “The supermarket might be needed but it’s in the wrong place.”

Proposing the granting of the permission, Cllr Spencer Flower said: “It may not be ideal, but Highways aren’t objecting. I think it will have wider community benefits. There is growth in the area, and there is more to come.”

After the meeting, residents expressed their disappointment at the decision.