Supermarket plans backed in narrow call

Plans for a supermarket giant to build a job-creating store on a former confectionary factory site in Poole have been narrowly backed despite being recommended for refusal. Concerns had been raised about alternative uses for the area, with the application considered to be a “significant departure” from Development Plan Policy.Aldi is behind the proposals, which concern a location on the eastern side of Alder Road.It was last used as a confectionary facility – Parrs Sweet Factory – which ceased operating in 2013 and was occupied by a series of industrial style buildings.These have since been demolished.The site is an isolated employment plot which is allocated for a care home and specialist accommodation in the Poole Local Plan.However, proposed is an 18,546 sq ft supermarket and an accompanying coffee shop. A similar application was refused in 2019.A planning report drawn up ahead of BCP Council’s planning committee meeting noted that the scheme would yield economic benefits through the creation of jobs during both the construction and operational phases of the development that would boost the local economy.It would also lead to environmental benefits through the re-use of a currently vacant site and bringing forward a development that would “positively enhance its appearance and contribution to the wider surrounding area in a sustainable location”.Despite this, the allocated use for the site as a care home was looking to be a hurdle.As part of its application, Aldi provided “additional evidence” in the form of a “professional opinion from a consultant which is intended to demonstrate that the site is no longer suitable or attractive for the allocated use as a care home and specialist accommodation; and indicates there is no need for care home provision”.”However, there is some disparity between this evidence and the Local Plan requirements and up to date delivery for meeting the needs of an ageing population,” said the report.”Furthermore, the evidence submitted is an opinion and is not supported by up to date and proper marketing which demonstrates that the site is not attractive to the market as required by policy PP40 of the Local Plan.”The report added that the store would therefore “result in the loss of the site allocation for the provision of a care home and specialist accommodation housing, for which there is a clearly identified need and that is of strategic importance in meeting the objectives of the Poole Local Plan in favour of a form and use of development for which there is no objectively assessed need and that is not of strategic importance”.”In the absence of adequate material considerations to justify why a departure from the development plan should be permitted, the proposal is contrary to the provisions of Policy PP9 and PP12 of the Poole Local Plan.”Despite this, and the subsequent recommendation for refusal, the application has now been backed in a tight decision which saw seven committee members back the scheme and seven vote against it, before a deciding decision was made by the committee chair.