Business, Poole | Posted on January 15th, 2026 | return to news

Lidl challenge fails to overturn Canford Bottom Aldi application

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

The application came before the planning committee for a second time, with the vote once more being in favour of the Aldi application.

A challenge by supermarket Lidl to the granting of an application to build an Aldi at Canford Bottom has failed.

Solicitors for Lidl alleged that Dorset Council’s Eastern Area Planning Committee had failed to give any reasons for its decision on 3 September 2025 to grant planning permission to Aldi, which went against council officers’ recommendations at the time.

So, in an unusual situation, although the approval hadn’t been called in by the Secretary of State, the application for an Aldi store at 26 Canford Bottom returned to the agenda of the meeting on 14 January.

Whilst officers disagreed with Lidl’s assertion that the committee gave no reasons for its decision, the Monitoring Officer decided that it constituted exceptional circumstances under the council’s constitution, so that the application should be returned to the committee.

Only the seven members who were present at the September meeting were permitted to take part in the debate, which at that time had resulted in a 5–2 vote in favour of the development.

Cllr Spencer Flower, who represents Verwood and proposed approval at the September meeting, said he was in favour of the application as Aldi would provide an affordable option compared with other supermarkets in Wimborne Minster.

“It will be on a bus route and the impact on the green belt would be limited,” he said, proposing approval for a second time.

Cllr Andy Skeats, who represents West Moors and Three Legged Cross, said: “We have never had a situation like this and I am unhappy with the process.”

He added that he thought the whole application should be discussed in full.

Wareham representative Cllr Beryl Ezzard agreed with Cllr Skeats.

Cllr Alex Brenton, who represents Lytchett Matravers and Upton, said: “The site is hidden from outside view and is in a neglected corner. Highways are happy with the application.”

She added that the two supermarkets in Wimborne Minster are not low cost. “We need a choice of local supermarkets and for people to use their cars less.”

Cllr Toni Coombs, who represents Verwood, said: “I understand why the application has come back to us. But we now have the full conditions in front of us which were delegated, and which fully mitigate any harm to the area.”

The application was put to the vote, with four members voting in favour of granting permission and three against.