SUPERMARKET chain Lidl's bid to open in Bridport ran into emphatic opposition from the town council this week.
Members of the plans committee voted unanimously to object to the application after warnings that it could turn the centre into a 'ghost town'.
They fear the cut-price supermarket would put many small traders out of business - robbing Bridport of its 'viability and vitality'.
"We don't need it," was Mayor Martin Ray's message to district planners.
"The overwhelming view in the town is that we should find some reason to refuse this."
Lidl has applied to build its store next to builders' merchants Travis Perkins in St Andrew's Road.
The new supermarket would offer cut-price groceries and create some 35 jobs.
As part of a joint application, Travis Perkins would replace its headquarters with up-to-date buildings, financed by the money from Lidl, adding some five extra jobs to its current 25-strong workbusiness from existing traders. Coun Ray said that many town centre shopkeepers were only hanging on by the skin of their teeth now.
To gain permission Lidl had to prove a need for the store and that it would not affect the high street - and there was no way it could do that.
Chairman Ros Kayes said Lidl had made much of supplying a niche market with low-cost food - a limited range not provided by others in the town. But she said the company's figures estimated it would still take some £300,000 worth of business from local traders, which the small businesses and market stallholders could ill afford to lose.
"It's going to have a significant impact on the town centre, reducing turnover in local stores by about six per cent. It's the difference for smaller local business of keeping their heads above water and failure," she said.
Coun David Tett said they did not want to end up with a ghost town. He also opposed the plan because of the increased traffic in St Andrew's Road the new store would create.
Coun Kayes said before deciding the committee should consider the other side. Feedback showed there were people who wanted Lidl to come to provide cheap food. Coun Mark Parsons said: "I don't think we should write them off completely, but perhaps this is not necessarily the right site."
There were concerns over flooding on the site, the extra traffic it would generate and its effect on the sustainability of the town centre.
10:51am Wednesday 2nd July 2008
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CommentPosted by: nige, dorchester on 11:29am Wed 2 Jul 08
Excellent news. The people of Notting Hill on Sea do not need a cheap supermarket like this. There is no need for a cheap supermarket in Notting Hill on Sea. There is far too much monmey here for that...No, its a Waitrose that is needed in Notting Hill on Sea
Excellent news. The people of Notting Hill on Sea do not need a cheap supermarket like this. There is no need for a cheap supermarket in Notting Hill on Sea. There is far too much monmey here for that...No, its a Waitrose that is needed in Notting Hill on Sea
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 1:45pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Those who have never visited a Lidl store don't know what they are missing, a branch in Bridport would add to the local shopper's choice and might provide welcome competition to the supermarkets already entrenched in town. I use the Weymouth branch but not exclusively, the other supermarkets in Weymouth each have something to offer that the others don't.
Those who have never visited a Lidl store don't know what they are missing, a branch in Bridport would add to the local shopper's choice and might provide welcome competition to the supermarkets already entrenched in town. I use the Weymouth branch but not exclusively, the other supermarkets in Weymouth each have something to offer that the others don't.
Posted by: free wessex, dorset on 3:17pm Wed 2 Jul 08
[quote]"The overwhelming view in the town is that we should find some reason to refuse this."[/quote]
then we get told
"a petition opposing the Lidl plan, signed by 557, from the St Andrew's Road Residents' Association."
How can 557 signatures out of the poulation of Bridport be called overwhelming Mr Mayor?
So once again a typical responce from the dinosors who live on the Jurrasic coast.
The clear message sent by the Council is that new business is only welcome if your face fits and with the approval of the un- democratic narrow sighted selfish opinionated resident association.
New individuals wishing to locate and create growth in the local economy should be welcomed.
Quite the opposie message has been given by the council to any future would be investors in the local economy.
If the council continues with this attitude we will have a ghost town.
The council has made a big mistake remember that when they want your vote!
"The overwhelming view in the town is that we should find some reason to refuse this."
then we get told
"a petition opposing the Lidl plan, signed by 557, from the St Andrew's Road Residents' Association."
How can 557 signatures out of the poulation of Bridport be called overwhelming Mr Mayor?
So once again a typical responce from the dinosors who live on the Jurrasic coast.
The clear message sent by the Council is that new business is only welcome if your face fits and with the approval of the un- democratic narrow sighted selfish opinionated resident association.
New individuals wishing to locate and create growth in the local economy should be welcomed.
Quite the opposie message has been given by the council to any future would be investors in the local economy.
If the council continues with this attitude we will have a ghost town.
The council has made a big mistake remember that when they want your vote!
Posted by: dan, Dorchester on 6:00pm Wed 2 Jul 08
This, from a council which, if I remember correctly, had a 'Nuclear Free Zone Policy' back in the 70's.
LIDL is a popular store and is needed more than ever now with the escalating cost of groceries.
What the hell is wrong with Bridport's mentality ????
This, from a council which, if I remember correctly, had a 'Nuclear Free Zone Policy' back in the 70's.
LIDL is a popular store and is needed more than ever now with the escalating cost of groceries.
What the hell is wrong with Bridport's mentality ????
Posted by: Wessex Lass, Dorchester on 6:14pm Wed 2 Jul 08
I am glad that people in Bridport have enough money to shop at more expensive supermarkets. I personally think Lidl is great! Saves me money and the quality is often much better!
I am glad that people in Bridport have enough money to shop at more expensive supermarkets. I personally think Lidl is great! Saves me money and the quality is often much better!
Posted by: free wessex, dorset on 6:25pm Wed 2 Jul 08
According to Bridport Town Councils web page
They state that
The Mayor
Coun Martin Ray is of St Andrews Road Bridport.
Draw your own conclusions folks!!
According to Bridport Town Councils web page
They state that
The Mayor
Coun Martin Ray is of St Andrews Road Bridport.
Draw your own conclusions folks!!
Posted by: dan, Dorchester on 7:01pm Wed 2 Jul 08
I commented on this earlier today but given the above letter from free wessex it would be very serious should any member of the Planning Ctte domiciled adjacent to the proposed site not declared an "interest". It would also be illegal for him/her to vote on the issue! If there was ever a reason for a local referendum on local issues this, surely is one - given the urgent need to reduce household costs.
I commented on this earlier today but given the above letter from free wessex it would be very serious should any member of the Planning Ctte domiciled adjacent to the proposed site not declared an "interest". It would also be illegal for him/her to vote on the issue! If there was ever a reason for a local referendum on local issues this, surely is one - given the urgent need to reduce household costs.
Posted by: rach2007, Beaminster on 9:03pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Oh for goodness sake!!
Dont think about the many low income families who live in and around Bridport will you? Bridport Town council may be run by people who have money to burn, but the majority of us have to tighten our belts at the moment.
Oh for goodness sake!!
Dont think about the many low income families who live in and around Bridport will you? Bridport Town council may be run by people who have money to burn, but the majority of us have to tighten our belts at the moment.
Posted by: Dorset Guy, Bridport on 9:26pm Wed 2 Jul 08
What a good job planning issues are decided on PLANNING GUIDELINES and not the personal views of a reletively small number of articulate spokespersons !
What a good job planning issues are decided on PLANNING GUIDELINES and not the personal views of a reletively small number of articulate spokespersons !
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 10:04pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Even if [quote]any member of the Planning Ctte domiciled adjacent to the proposed site[/quote] did declare an interest, I am sure that a nod is as good as a wink as far as other members of the relevant committee is concerned.
Even if
any member of the Planning Ctte domiciled adjacent to the proposed site
did declare an interest, I am sure that a nod is as good as a wink as far as other members of the relevant committee is concerned.
Posted by: Iona, Dorset on 11:16pm Wed 2 Jul 08
Lidl should go to appeal with high priced lawyers and seek costs on the grounds that the council's refusal was vexatious.
My experience of residents' associations is that self-selected core of activists use emotional and social blackmail to coerce others to sign petitions - so their association is vexatious too.
Lidl should go to appeal with high priced lawyers and seek costs on the grounds that the council's refusal was vexatious.
My experience of residents' associations is that self-selected core of activists use emotional and social blackmail to coerce others to sign petitions - so their association is vexatious too.
Posted by: free wessex, dorset on 11:51am Thu 3 Jul 08
[bold]LIDL THE PLOT THICKENS[/bold]
As well as the Mayor Cllr Ray being listed as resident of St Andrews Road Bridport
Cllr Mrs Ray
Cllr N Cast and
Cllr R J Stoodly are all listed as residents of St Andrews Road Bridport
LIDL THE PLOT THICKENS
As well as the Mayor Cllr Ray being listed as resident of St Andrews Road Bridport
Cllr Mrs Ray
Cllr N Cast and
Cllr R J Stoodly are all listed as residents of St Andrews Road Bridport
Posted by: Mike, Portland on 3:03pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Posted by: Mike, Portland on 2:54pm today
[quote][bold]free wessex[/bold] wrote: With regard the Council position on Lidl locating to Bridport was it hardley suprising that the idea was rejected when the Mayor Cllr C M Ray, Cllr Mrs M Ray, Cllr N Cast,Cllr RJ Stoodley, are all listed as residents of St Andrews Road Bridport. Not in my back yard?[/quote] Seems to me that Lidl have got the perfect grounds for appeal & i hope when the council get stuck with a huge bill for legal fees the councilors should be asked to pay it themselves.
free wessex wrote:
With regard the Council position on Lidl locating to Bridport was it hardley suprising that the idea was rejected when the Mayor Cllr C M Ray, Cllr Mrs M Ray, Cllr N Cast,Cllr RJ Stoodley, are all listed as residents of St Andrews Road Bridport. Not in my back yard?
Seems to me that Lidl have got the perfect grounds for appeal & i hope when the council get stuck with a huge bill for legal fees the councilors should be asked to pay.
Posted by: Mike, Portland on 2:54pm today
free wessex wrote: With regard the Council position on Lidl locating to Bridport was it hardley suprising that the idea was rejected when the Mayor Cllr C M Ray, Cllr Mrs M Ray, Cllr N Cast,Cllr RJ Stoodley, are all listed as residents of St Andrews Road Bridport. Not in my back yard?
Seems to me that Lidl have got the perfect grounds for appeal & i hope when the council get stuck with a huge bill for legal fees the councilors should be asked to pay it themselves.
free wessex wrote:
With regard the Council position on Lidl locating to Bridport was it hardley suprising that the idea was rejected when the Mayor Cllr C M Ray, Cllr Mrs M Ray, Cllr N Cast,Cllr RJ Stoodley, are all listed as residents of St Andrews Road Bridport. Not in my back yard?
Seems to me that Lidl have got the perfect grounds for appeal & i hope when the council get stuck with a huge bill for legal fees the councilors should be asked to pay.
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