With the Waste & Recycling site now put back by nearly a year due to the flip-flopping of local councillors and the NIMBY self-interest of a few small lobby groups we now face 18 months of fly-tipping, dumping, burning, increased lorry journeys, larger amounts of landfill and climate-changing emissions, plus additional wastage of Council Tax, when our HRC closes next summer. South Street would probably have been extended for the six months needed to complete Gore Cross but that has been 'spannered' and sent back to the drawing board.

Who is Being Ripped Off?

Now LIDL, a multinational company that somehow manages to sell stuff already available locally, but slightly cheaper despite it all coming from overseas (how is that possible and who is being ripped off along the way?), has been given the go ahead by a Planning Committee made up predominantly of Councillors from outside Bridport, despite Planning officials recommending it be refused in the best interests of the vitality of the town and its economy. Never mind the fact we already have THREE existing supermarkets.

Ros Says Yes

The Conservatives presented an 800 name petition supporting LIDL on the basis that it would create 'competition' (read: smaller local, family businesses, already struggling, losing out) and 'employment' (read: part-time, low-paid, non-unionised positions easy to fill during a recession, particularly from those losing their jobs due to 'competition') and the Tory dominance of the Committee allowed them to vote it through. This was aided by one Lib Dem from Dorchester and Ros Kayes, a Bridport Lib Dem councillor whose support for the application was conveyed in a private letter, despite the fact that as a Town Councillor she and her party had opposed it. So both she and the other district councillor from the area, Roger Stoodley (Conservative and vice-chair of planning committee) think that the extra lorries, cars and traffic chaos are okay for an overseas supermarket that might lead to disaster for our high streets, do they? Apparently so, and they also claim that the decision is a success for ‘Local Democracy’!

When Safeway (now Morrisons) got their permission to extend their already massive store (seven years ago) it was met with a 3,200-name petition and a 200-strong public demonstration - sadly, but unsurprisingly, not supported by any local Conservative or Lib Dem Councillors - but public opinion counted for nothing then.

The lack of any opposition to LIDL from The Chamber of Trade (who didn't even suggest that it could go at Broomhills, which seems to have been their stock answer to all recent contentious planning) despite the fact that their members will undoubtedly suffer, leaves a strange (german sausage?) taste in the mouth. More surprising has been the lack of any opinion, let alone logical opposition, raised by Transition Town Bridport, for whom LIDL's arrival presents a serious challenge to any claims that it is working for a more local and sustainable economy to deal with Peak Oil and Climate Change.

Political Turf War

Our national political system, as embodied by our MP, is in disrepute but our local democracy is a sham. The Tories and Lib Dems are having a political 'turf war' and we are all suffering the consequences. We have a toothless and spineless Town Council (why else was Charles Wilde, an Independent, the only local councillor to speak out against LIDL despite it being the local Town policy?), and a two-party system across our local councils with a number of individuals sitting on two or even three different authorities, in effect making them full-time politicians with very generous expenses. Unfortunately the local media appear to perpetuate this situation, giving little coverage and information to issues and debate during the recent local elections and focusing on just two candidates (guess which two folks?) for the next General Election, regularly allowing them opportunities to 'tout their wares' - a courtesy not extended to any of the other candidates with their hats in the ring, of which there are at least five so far.

Proud Historical Market Town  or Supermarket Heaven?

Add to that a Leader of the Town Council and a Mayor, neither of whom made any public comment on the latest proposal, let alone backed up any fine words (on sustainability, the environment or a strong local economy) with any meaningful actions, and we have the pitiful situation where a supposedly proud 'Historical Market Town' is reduced to 'Supermarket Heaven' for the thousands of visitors who think that the place is special, different, and unique. (Note: The Mayor Martin Reyes has pointed out to Bridport Radio that he was most vociferously against Lidl when it was first proposed as witnessed by the Bridport News Lidl effect 'could hit market')

The most upsetting thing about this decision was that it was made on the day of a report that demonstrated how temperatures will soar over the next 50 years and the environmental consequences that will occur unless we STOP producing more carbon, waste and emissions. Spending time, money and CO2-creating energy on trying to battle the rising sea levels is the environmental 'stable door', particularly if we allow developments like LIDL to be built.

Leon Edwards

Bridport News Lidl Articles...

Users' Comments (4)

Add your comment