Friends of Bourne Wood will continue to fight development plans following Aldi application

People who campaigned against plans for a new supermarket are rallying the troops to fight any future proposals.

Aldi’s plan to open a store north of the West Road/Raymond Mays Way roundabout in Bourne was rejected by South Keseven District Council six weeks ago.

Planning officers for the council had suggested the scheme should be approved because of the employment opportunities and economic benefits. However councillors sided with members of the public, the town council and civic society who had all raised concerns about the impact on neighbouring Bourne Wood.

Although Aldi has not yet lodged an appeal against the decision, campaigners are hosting a public meeting to discuss how they would respond to an appeal or any new planning applications for the site.

Chairperson of the Friends of Bourne Wood, Sarah Roberts, said: “We suspect Aldi will appeal the decision so we want to create a petition for the Secretary of State in readiness for any appeal or other development on that land.

“We have to approach this in terms of planning regulations. We know it was rejected because it would spoil the view coming into Bourne and the council mentioned flooding as an issue which we don’t think has been properly considered.

“These fields are ideal for any wildlife and provide an important buffer for Bourne Wood. It is delightful down there and any development would be detrimental to the wood and completely change Bourne.”

Care Build Group hosted a public exhibition last month to unveil plans for a proposed care home at the site, but the company has since said it is waiting to find out if Aldi is lodging an appeal before it makes any further announcements.

The public meeting will be held on Thursday, July 18 at Bourne Methodist Church Hall, Hereward Street, at 7.30pm.

Bourne is already home to a Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Lidl.

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