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Thank you. Peter.
KWTG web site manager
 

359: Well, i've never seen the Environment Agency do anything this outspoken before! goes to show what a complete lack of planning Waitrose had achieved.
Rod

358: At least those little water voles, otters and crayfish are keeping them on their toes! I'm hoping to get some video of the water voles next to Somerfield, if I do I will let you have a copy.
 Jane

356: Can KWTG be a cause for respect in the way it keeps its profile and present not only real issues (as opposed to disapproval of local government methods) but a real, practical and workable alternative that will appeal to Councils and public alike? I AM in favour of the campaign but to be acceptable it needs a very real acceptable face and policy.
David

355: Is it expecting too much for the Planning Committee members to remember just a few hours between seeing the site and an evening meeting?
Phil

354: I object to anything being built on Wimborne Town's cricket green.
It would be like turning the Tivoli Theatre into a Bingo Hall.
Totally inappropriate.
Mike

353: I understand that Waitrose is making approaches to the current Wimborne supermarket. If they buy this, then where does that leave the new development?
I guess a compromise might be to build a car park on the old site (demolishing what is now Somerfield) and having the new supermarket on a smaller share of the cricket pitch and keeping the rest as green space. As well as providing more park land, it also wipes out any chances of competition in Wimborne, so win-win. That at least would encourage people to leave the supermarket area to shop elsewhere, something the current plans would not do.
Jackie

352: I like the comment in the Stour valley Mag that Waitrose might take ober the Somerfield stores. Could be Wimborne's solutiuon couldn't it? - take over the existing supermarket, enlarge it and plant some nice trees etc on the cricket pitch...
David

351: Does the comunnity realise how much more Waitrose products cost,than other super markets
Mike

350: One reads that Summerfields is up for sale. So why can't Waitrose make an offer to buy the existing Wimborne Somerfields and the other shops around the closed down Boots and develop them into a Wimborne Waitrose?
David

349: I think one important point to bear in mind is that nobody currently uses the cricket ground on a regular basis; the cricket club has relocated, and the only time it is used is on the weekend of the Folk Festival. It is a huge open space going to waste. We need to do something with it! I am all for making it into a park, picnic area, or similar, but I believe it will not be used. I think Waitrose is the best option, and I firmly believe that battles will continue over this piece of land until finally some large company wins. I think we should accept Waitrose, because if this opposition continues, they will give up and we will be left with a company building flats or houses. This land will never, ever be put to use which will benefit the community unless it becomes a supermarket.
Kate

348: Are you aware that the Somerfield group(all 990 stores) is up for sale and one of the interested buyers is Waitrose ( see Times business section 22/01/2008).
This will no doubt affect Wimborne, Waitrose will surely go ahead with the cricket pitch plan and close Somerfield.
Phil

347: I am a member of Wimborne Cricket club and would like inquire as to why you are campaining to save the ground. Although this may sound strange I thought it was common knowledge that the club dont own the land Hanhams do, and it is inevitable that Hanhams will not continue to fund the ground as it stands therefore the 'Green' land you so desperately cling to will be gone anyway. Futhermore if the Waitrose is not built Wimborne Cricket club will have NO funding to move to a new ground. So even if it was managed to save the green space in the town the cricket club would be destroyed. I make this point because I feel it is greatly overlooked in the whole scheem of things and I would very much welcome a reply to this comment.
Thomas

346: Would love to see waitrose in town. they supply and support brittish and local farming,far more than our pressent so called super market. price? have you purchased at somerfields!
sellection? again poor.
if we had a better quality provider of superstore. the local residents,
those from further affield, and also tourists staying local to the area would have the impotus to stay around town and provide a much improved income to those that trade and work within wimborne.
ps. how's about this for an idea redvelopment of crown meads site 70's eye sore.
Carl

345: Perhaps Wimborne could support a quality foodstore but, it may be an idea to look at the alternatives. Yes, the infrastructure would have to be heavily upgraded, at  Waitrose expense? I believe alternative thinking may be required, instead of griping about this contencious possibility, why don't the moaners get off their high horses and think about a Wimborne consortium to purchase the land, preserve it and improve it for public use? Words without action are useless, Stop moaning and start doing! I've seen this situation so many times like at Sturminster Marshall and the great Gladwish land purchase, the villagers could have bought that land for a song as a consortium but, no, they just moaned and groaned whilst the land was stolen from them as they sat on their backsides in fruitless meeting after meeting. DO SOMETHING or STOP MOANING!
Len

344: have looked through the Local Development Plan that is so often cited by the KWTG chairman and feel that he is not telling the whole story....  True, the cricket pitch is designated as 'open space for recreation' but the planning policy dictates that  development may take place in such a place provided 'there would be no overall net loss of recreational benefit by its
development.'  Seeing as the cricket pitch has been relocated there is no net loss and the Hanhams Ground is available for development. 
Sam

343: Has anyone asked what guarantees there are that Waitrose will maintain the landscaping as shown in their proposal? I am concerned that, if the development goes ahead and at some time in the future Waitrose has to cut costs, then they may cut back on the upkeep of the landscaped area. Worse still, Waitrose could apply for permission to extend the car park over the landscaped area in order to bring in extra revenue.
Graham

P.S. I'm not sure where I sit at the moment. I'm glad there's further investigation into the traffic. I thought the Waitrose proposal was strangely worded on this. Section 8.7 of the non-technical is saying that the junctions are already operating at or near capacity so any extra vehicles would have little impact. In my words I would say the traffic is already almost at a standstill at peak times and the situation won't be improved by the new development!

342: One point that never comes up ,is the fact that Waitrose is one of more expensive super markets there is for food products,I rest my case.
Mike

341: I'd like to live in a town with  green spaces.  I am also very worried about the amount of extra traffic this unneeded development will cause.
Robin

340: I've just submitted my objection to this proposal via your site.  I work for Friends of the Earth supporting local campaigns all over the country like this one (and come from Wimborne).  The evidence is mounting to demonstrate the catastrophic effects that ill thought out applications like this one can have on small towns (I wonder if some of the people making supportive comments have looked at the evidence on the websites listed on the homepage - Tescopoly, The New Economics Foundation and indeed Friends of the Earth to name a few good ones). 
Jenny

339: It's a shame to destroy the English village feel that is exemplified by the cricket pitch that one sees as one comes in to Wimborne.
Andrew

338: I basically support the Waitrose application; this town needs a quality food store.
Ann

337: I find the planning process grossly unfair. 
If you or I put an application in for an extension to our house, there would never be any “oh, have a second chance” aspect to it. The application would be considered and determined on its initial basis.
So why should Waitrose (JLP) have any preferential treatment! 
John.   See "breaking news" on KWTG web site.

324: I have lived in Wimborne for 32 years. In the past people have applied to use available town centre space for new development, which is understandable. However, because the town is going to expand in population, we need to increase rather than decrease the green space available for the central community. We also need to provide greater amount of car parking space for the increasing population of the town. Less traffic flow through the town is required in what is already often a fairly congested town centre.
A recent television programme talked about maintaining the central green spaces in the town centres as being "essential". I understand that purchasing the land at the cricket ground would put the community 'budget' under pressure. However, this is not the only mode of thinking.
Consider London. Beneath the River Thames, and under Hyde Park etc., there are huge expanses of underground railways as well as car parking, hidden away. If London had had the same attitude as Wimborne, it would not have so many green spaces. At the same time land in London is 'premium' value.
I have never seen the underpass in Hanham Road flooded in all the years I have lived in Wimborne. The depth of the underpass could easily be adequate for parking a car. I would like to challenge the source stating that the ground under the cricket ground is frequently flooded, or as an 'essential floodplain'. It is interesting to note that the latest application for development of the cricket ground has changed from the original and accepted that some of the land is not floodplain, and underground car parking is proposed. There are many cellars in the centre of town, which do not get flooded, indeed, under the chancel in the Wimborne Minster, there is a deep area which, as far as I am aware, never gets flooded.
The placing of the flood barriers around the River Allen has likely meant that the flood plains have been moved further downstream. Flooding in the centre of the town appears to be unlikely nowadays.
Why do we not
. Take a ''deep breath' and purchase the land for future the benefit of the town, build an large under-land car park as they have done in Hyde Park in London?
. Charge people for parking and thereby gain constant revenue a year by year to pay back for the expense of the purchase of the land and provide an ongoing income for the town for years to come?
. Replace it with green belt on top, which can be used for various things such as social events, cafe and small lake?
. Generally improve the green 'vista' of the centre of the town?
Please try to keep hold of the "LUNG" of green land in the centre of Wimborne, before we strangulate ourselves with more heavy-duty development?

321: I am so sick of the whole thing. We cannot use the sacred pitch anyway, i have a young son who likes to kick a ball around but can we place our unworthey feet on the pitch? NO WAY!!! But we can look thougth the railings and wonder why. Hope all you KWG LOSERS grow up.I WANT WAITROSE, DO ALL YOU PEOPLE REALLY THINK IT WILL SPOIL WIMBORNE OR MAYBE YOU THINK IT WILL LOWER YOUR HOUSE PRICES?? OR MAYBE YOU JUST WANT WIMBORNE TO DIE ON ITS KNEES?? SOMERFIELDS IS THE WORST SHOP EVER, EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE HATE IT. GO WAITROSE!!!!!!!.   This letter is in fact two successive letters from the same person. Web site manager

309: EDDC Planning Dept. would do well to ponder this little story: a few weeks ago, my teenage cousin from Barcelona came to stay with us. Naturally, we showed him the sights of Wimborne. As we walked towards the river Allen through Crown Mead, he was absolutely enchanted by the sight of the gently flowing river, the trees and, of course, the cricket field. He literally gasped with delight!
   For many residents and visitors alike, this is what Wimborne is all about. The town attracts people all the year round because there's a special feeling of tranquillity and space here - something very rare nowadays in British towns.     If the cricket field is sold off for development, no amount of ''landscaping'' is going to hide the fact that Wimborne, its residents and visitors will have lost a unique feature forever. What they will gain are endless traffic hold-ups and increased pressure on scant parking spaces. And even more small shops will be forced to close.    Objecting to the building of a second supermarket which  would destroy our green space is not a dog-in-a-manger attitude. It's about preserving the character of Wimborne for future generations, and not letting that die. Please avoid making such a regrettable and short-sighted decision.

306: Please keep up the excellent work that you are doing. I know how time consuming this whole process is for you and your team but the goal will be worth all the effort. We wouldn't feel satisfied with ourselves if we just let Waitrose have their way and destroy such a important area.
I have enclosed a copy of my letter of objection just for your information. I do know it is very important in these situations for people to write their own individual letters as planners tend to take much less notice of 'standard type' letters with only a signature on the bottom.
Good luck and best wishes,

304: 30th November is no problem for me, either morning or afternoon, but as much notice as possible would be good!
Best wishes

303: My family and i have lived in wimborne for some ten years now.We were attracted by its Town Centre, full of interesting shops,river,green areas,relatively light traffic, and complete lack of large retail outlets.i feel the current supermarket and supermarket and precinct area could be easily up-graded to provide a wonderful shopping facility for Wimborne.For those that need a larger store, there are plenty of options only a short car or bus-ride away.
This development would not only lose a green area forever,but would have to drag in unwanted traffic from all surrounding areas to support it, returning Wimborne to the awful bottleneck for traffic that i remeber from years before the by-pass.If the landowners
are intent on selling, then so be it, but this should be regarded as a golden opportunity to acquire the land, and really develop it as a beautiful green area to be enjoyed by future generations of Wimborne folk.
If this development is passed, I know I will not be alone in losing total confidence in our town planners, and I will never set foot inside Waitrose doors on principle.
Ron

297: Keep up the good work! You can count on me to join in with any actions forthcoming. With nearly a whole row of vancant shops opposite Somerfield it really does beg the question why they wish to destory the cricket pitch for ever.

296: Good man, with you all the way.

295: Well, the Cricket pitch will surely go and I see little wrong with that. Yes, its green space but nobody can use it except a few people for what is after all just a game. To imagine that this land will be allowed to remain as public access green space is daydreaming at best. The hard fact is that if Waitrose do not develop this site sympathetically then it will go for housing, and bottom end housing at that I expect.

294: To build a Supermarket on the beautiful green land that is Wimbornes' cricket pitch is appalling and plans for this should not be accepted

293: Thanks for organising the campaign. I appreciate your efforts and wholeheartedly support your view.

292: I am appalled at the secrecy with which Waitrose held its 'Press Briefing' on October 2. The company really is not doing itself any favours and should perhaps consider appointing a new adviser - preferably one that values democracy and open discussion.

291: Dear Philip You’ve got to have a public enquiry. I live in North London (my mum is still in Wimborne) and we have just had one for a development of 4 blocks 4 storeys high with 2 flats on each floor. We were able to contribute enormously at the Enquiry ( and needed to; Enfield council, defending their rejection of the scheme were pathetic). I would be delighted to pass on my experience if it comes to that. I am so shocked at this development and that the Hanham family are allowing it. The cricket ground (on which I played quite a bit back in the 70’s) is a major open space and a blessing to the whole feel of the town. When it’s gone it’s gone. Why don’t they just knock down the whole grubby development of shops that includes Somerfields (I see Boots got out) and build a decent supermarket on that? The whole effect on the traffic in Wimborne will be huge too. Anyway you know all this – KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT and ignore all apathy. People power can and does win. My very best wishes to you and your colleagues.

290: Another supermarket in the town may be good for the residents but the cricket ground really does provide wimborne with much of its unique character that most towns lack. Wimborne has managed to keep much of its old character over a number of years.

289: Leave the cricket field alone and build where the cricket field is going. This will not add to congestion

288: As with most other councils, green spaces are being eroded for cash. A more purposeful use of such land, if it has to be, would be something for the people. A leisure centre such as the one at Littledown would be better seeing as it is the most used centre in the UK. What about a botanical gardens as a tourist attraction? Might taake years to develop, but it would keep the place green and attract tourism. Far too far sighted for councils though...they can't see further than their noses.

287: I agree with everything you mention, BUT... if a supermarket such as Waitrose is not built somewhere like the Cricket Ground, it will most likely be built 'out of town'. This will mean less people come into the town centre and so the small, local shops will still disappear, owing to a lack of business. Please don't misunderstand... I'm not all for this development, but I do thing everyone should view the options realistically.

286: Thanks for this Email re views - or not - of prosp ective candidates in Local Election. As I can not bring myself to vote for anyone in UKIP and no-one else will state their personal view I feel that I will not be able to vote at all as I feel so strongly about keeping our beautiful Cricket Ground free from development. Thanks again for putting me in the picture.

285: As I understand it the cricket pitch is being sold in order to raise money for the Hanham's estate. While in return the cricketers are being offered a new pitch near the old grammar school. Perhaps somebody could answer me this; why not sell the proposed new site for the cricket pitch to Waitrose instead?

284: The cricket field is privately owned and not public open space even though many correspondents seem to think the cricket field is public property. The owners would have every right to erect a 6ft high fence round the field and shut it off from public view. They also have the right to develop the cricket field, subject to planning approval, if that is their wish. The trustees of the Trust, who own the field, also have a duty of care to the beneficiaries of the Trust and to maximise the assets for future generations. What then are they to do with their cricket field which you must remember is a PRIVATE field? Apply for houses/ flats and garages. This would fit in with Government thinking on Town Centre sites. Maybe a mixture of Houses and commercial premises? Both would probably be accepted on appeal as they fit in with Government guidelines. If the Waitrose scheme i s approved then the Trustees will have managed to increase the value of the Trust and at the same time give Wimborne a LARGE public open space in the centre of the Town, something the town does NOT have now. Surely this is a better deal than flats/ houses all over the site and no public access. You can of course argue that it should remain as it is for ever but this is not really realistic in the present circumstances. I personally take my hat off to the Trustees who have achieved a very difficult balancing act and have increased the value of their asset and at the same time given Wimborne a huge public open space in the centre of the Town. If approved the cricket club moves to an idyllic new setting with a new pavillion(something they cannot now afford), the Town has a supermarket which again it badly needs( see the chamber of commerce opinion) and Wimborne has an open space of over an acre which I suggest is the subject of a design competition. The benefits to all concerned far outweigh the emotive arguements and i am sure these are apparent to all who stop and think.

283: The area surrounding the cricket pitch has already been ruined through a lack of cohesive planning and design, as well as poor piecemeal building - witness the dreadful old people's flats, the ambulance station, the police station, Wessex House (Savills) and the Teachers Building Society. These examples of shoddy (and cheap) design don't belong so near the centre of a town that is supposed to be one of the finest places to live in the country! The current supermarket - be it Safeway, Morrisons or Somerfield (whatever it is at the moment)- is perceived to be located in a 'backwater', and does not offer the quality of product inhabitants of this area expect. This is what needs to be addressed! The cricket club would be delighted to go to a new home and they get a much finer pitch in the process! They can't afford to stay where they are! Of course, the ideal solution would be: demolish the existing supermarket, and build the Waitrose on that site with increased (underground) parking - possibly etending under the present cricket pitch. But then we know this is unaffordable; the owners of the land don't get the income they need; and the cricket club is left with poor facilities (even if they could afford the new rent.) The sad thing is, if the Waitrose build does not go ahead, the cricket club could well fold, and then who would keep up the resultant open space and what would it become? A couple of football pitches? A dog-walkers paradise?

282: There is a lot of heat, mis-directed emotion and selective quoting on both sides of this Waitrose argument. It's a complex discussion. However, the 'preserve our green' argument is particularly emotional. If the Wimborne Cricket Club was a proper village green I would oppose any development most strongly. But the Cricket Club is not a green. I have felt for many years that it is a sad wasted facility used by very few local people. The green is not available to the public for everyday use, so it is not a green in any real sense. On 3 sides it is surrounded by unattractive walls and railings. It can barely be seen, let alone accessed. The one remaining side by the river is hardly 'village green like' in it's outlook and amenities - we can just see a green field with a couple of dilapidated sheds. It could be delightful, with river frontage and green space for residents to relax and play. But in truth, the green is just a mown field used by a very few people on a few days every year. The point at issue is not the green space, but whether a new supermarket would benefit Wimborne or not. That's another argument. If the choice is between leaving things as they are or gaining something of greater use to the residents, I will support change. If Wimborne could have a 'proper' village green that would be well worth fighting for, but fighting just to maintain the unsatisfactory status quo is not worthwhile.

281: The artist's impression above (I suspect the writer means the impression on the main page..KWTG web site manager) is completely inaccurate and the person who did this should be ashamed to call themselves an artist,The scale is stupid. Waitrose would take up much more room. Wimborne is nice because it doesn't look like Winton. It should stay that way.

280: I work in Lymington where Waitrose has just taken over the old Morrisons building. The situation is very similar as it is on the edge of the Town. If I go to Waitrose I do not stray in to the Town, and if I go to the Town I do not also go to Waitrose. People will drive in and drive out of the Town again, they will not go into the Town. All that will happen is that we will get even more conjestion than we already have. I believe people will shop in Waitrose but the only result will be more cars and more lorries. Is it worth losing the cricket pitch for this. Already the Town is attracting the faceless chain businesses we don't want any more or their won't be a market town to visit, it will just be one more boring suburb.

279: I watched an interesting program on TV regarding Supermarkets going into small towns. They contacted 'Friends of the Earth' I believe, who have a special section that 'help' when Supermarkets try to come in. What was particularly interesting was the way that supermarkets use 'sweeteners'. It would seem that these sweeteners are not being used appropriately. I wondered on the 'legality' of the cricket ground being moved and rebuilt etc by Waitrose, as this (without knowing any of the detail)may not be an appropriate sweetener. What sweeteners should be used for, is what the supermarket would really do that would be an immediate impact/benefit to Wimborne and it's residence i.e. Improvements in the infrastructure that would cope with the potentially extra 1000 cars a day. The lady's name from 'Friends of the Earth' was Vanessa Bell (on the programme).

278: Whilst not opposed to a supermarket somewhere in Wimborne, I don't feel the cricket pitch is the place. Not many towns these days can boast of an area like this in the town. Many years ago I played hockey there when the hockey club and cricket club shared the ground. If Waitrose are so keen to come to Wimborne why don't they buy out Somerfield and the precint area and develop that. The picture is all very nice, but how can the cricket area be big enough for a supermarket, carpark and a green area - can't see it myself. Also as this is a runoff for the River Avon, whats going to happen when the Avon bursts it banks - will the overflow now go into town, flooding the shops?

277: I do not wish to see a Waitrose store on our cricket field

276: I have lived in Dorset for over 20 years and have always enjoyed my visits to Wimborne. A great big NO to development of the cricket square. Commercialism is going too far

275: The new image on the kwtg website of the proposed supermarket shows a very rosy view of the carpark. On their plan Waitrose showed the upper car park to be at the same level as the shop floor i.e. approx 8ft higher than your image shows. Also the original railings and wall along Rowlands Hill are very unlikely to be left as shown on your image. KWTG is doing a good job of presenting facts intelligently and fairly to oppose the Waitrose building however this new website image presents too favourable a case and possibly helps the Waitrose cause.

274: No Waitrose and asociated urbanisation of town centre area with consequent traffic volume. Only development that is acceptable is for a "park" area for the whole site with cricket pitch to move (eventually when conditions allow). Waitrose's park area inadequate, the area will already have been spoiled if the superstore comes. Vote NO!

273: The Community Magazine (2nd February) reported that opinion in Wimborne regarding the Supermarket - Cricket Ground debate was divided 53% against : 44% in favour and 3% did not know. The public around Wimborne should be reminded that this survey by Wimborne Town Council was restricted to a random selection of precept taxpayers solely from the Parish of Wimborne. It excluded all Wimborne businesses, in and out of the Parish, who are also, of course, ratepayers. A recent Wimborne Chamber of Trade poll showed that of 81 replies, 77 were in favour of Waitrose and 4 against - a majority of 95%. Nor did the Town Council survey take into consideration the opinions of those other local residents outside the confines of the parish itself who, if there were a quality grocer in this market town, could and probably would patronise such a store. These prospective local customers number in excess of 30,000 within a 10 minute drive of the centre of town. The Survey showed that only 157- less than 0.5% of those who consider themselves from Wimborne - gave the 'thumbs down' to a new supermarket. Without the voice of the commercial community and the immediate catchment area, can the Town Council survey be considered in any way representative?

272: If Hanham Estates plan to sell the cricket field it is a sad fact of life that it will go for development in one way or another. It would be wonderful for someone to purchase it for the town and maintain it as a green space with perhaps a playpark for children. That would take a miracle at least. Housing would be simply dreadful. Waitrose seems to be the best option. It is a relatively ethical supermarket that sells quality produce (and local produce) with lots of choice. Somerfield is little more than a Spar or convenience store. It is not adequate for the people of Wimborne and so most people will travel to Ferndown or Poole. Dorchester (as many lovely old market type towns across England) has an in town Waitrose and is a really vibrant, buzzing town with individual shops and high street shops that offer plenty of choice and variety whilst still retaining its charm. Wimborne is slowly dying with an excess of opticians, estate agents, hairdressers and shoe shops. You are pretty stuck if not after any of the above! Due to the rubbish foresight of our planners (who have no say at the end of the day if plans go to appeal) who built Streets Meadow on its orginal site when it was known Waitrose were interested in Wimborne we are all in this dilemma. Waitrose could have gone where the rest home is and the rest home could have been sited on the cricket field with plenty of green space for families to enjoy. Most people I know are crossing their fingers and hoping Waitrose goes ahead. It is the best choice for the town and would allow local people to shop for their family food in their own town. We would of course also use the banks, post office, shoe shops etc at the same time! We would not have to travel out of town

271: A new supermarket on the proposed site will be disastrous for Wimborne. The inevitable increase of traffic and loss of small traders around the square

270: My household was one of the 500 chosen at random to vote on whether a supermarket should be allowed to be built on the Hanham's Cricket Ground. As I stated in my reply the choices of vote were either are you in favour of a supermarket,are you against, or don't know. This is not sufficient. What I and others would like to know is this. The Hanham Estate will sell off the cricket pitch. The Cricket Club want this too. It will not necessarily then stay as green open space. Would the Council approve it for planning for the housing so desperately needed in the area? If so I cannot imagine any developer would be willing to keep as much green open public space as Waitrose has offered. This concerns me very much. I have lived in Wimborne since 1974 and Somerfield is not doing anywhere near the trade that Safeway did. So in my opinion most Wimborne folk are going elsewhere to shop anyway, creating a reverse traffic flow.
Edith

269: I used to play cricket for Wimborne. My mother still lives in the town and I am shocked that this scheme can even be dreamt of. Local people must fight this by writing to object - the only way to stop these crazy proposals is through group action. Don't lie down and let it happen!!!

268: The fact that this town needs a second supermarket is right & true, it does!. The problem is twofold, first, taking away one of the great & quaint area's of this town is not the way to draw people & businesses back in. This town is one of the most beautiful towns in this area, taking away this cricket field would in my opinion take away a part of the character of this wonderful town. Second, bringing in Waitrose is not the way to do this. Waitrose is one of the most expensive Supermarkets in the field. We already have a supermarket that is expensive, why bring in another expensive one. They say they want to do this to bring people back into the town, you do not do that by making the town more expensive. You do that by bringing in a draw, something that people will save money from going to, not feel that they have been ripped off by going there. I know some have said that they do not want lets say Asda here as that would take more people away from the other businesses, but surly if we had something like that people would be drawn here & that being the case, would then look around the town. Thus the other businesses would then gain more custom from that, not less. I am sorry if not a lot of people agree with what I have said, but that's my thoughts on this matter.

267:Wake up Wimborne and don't sleepwalk into allowing the proposed building of Waitrose to go ahead. Don't take for granted the beauty of Wimborne and don't be panicked into thinking that if we don't have a Waitrose then Wimborne will die. Building a Waitrose in order to revitalise Wimborne may seem a solution, but it will create far more problems than it solves. For a start it will bring an extra 2,000 cars a day streaming (or rather crawling) in and around Wimborne. Why on earth do you think the town planners built the Wimborne by-pass in the 1970's ? Are we really advocating bringing back the traffice which blighted Wimborne in the past ? Our relatively traffic-free streets are the envy of many traffic-clogged towns. Please don't go for the quick-fix building of a supermarket. Don't take this seemingly easy option to boost trade to the town. We attract many tourists in the summer - eager to experience and share the beauty of the Minster with its small local shops and floral decorated town centre. Hot traffic-clogged streets full of polluting exhaust fumes will quickly turn this source of revenue away. The proposed sale of the land which currently houses the cricket ground should be seen as an opportunity to create a new attractively planned green area; one opening up the space and giving everyone access to the river. We need to think creatively in order to take advantage of what should be seen as an opportunity to improve the character and attractiveness of Wimborne. It will take talent, ingenuity and hard work to achieve this and I believe that the people of Wimborne have these qualities in full measure. Retaining the unique beauty of Wimborne won't be easy - but nothing worth fighting for ever is. Please wake up before it's too late !

266: The new image on the kwtg website of the proposed supermarket shows a very rosy view of the carpark. On their plan Waitrose showed the upper car park to be at the same level as the shop floor i.e. approx 8ft higher than your image shows. Also the original railings and wall along Rowlands Hill are very unlikely to be left as shown on your image. KWTG is doing a good job of presenting facts intelligently and fairly to oppose the Waitrose building however this new website image presents too favourable a case and possibly helps the Waitrose cause.

265: I find it hard to see how anyone with a genuine interest in Wimborne can justify replacing the Cricket Green with a supermarket. Wimborne is holding on to a community spirit; We have some great independent stores run by locals and valued by locals. The cricket green may not be the "last remaining open space" but why wait? We should be taking hold and preserving all we can, while we can. Protect our local shops and our open space. As for the comment below "give the town a chance to grow in quality & stature within the county of Dorset". I'm sure we could do far better than build a Waitrose on our cricket pitch. Surely you don't consider this proposal a solution to a pressing problem, let alone the best way forward for Wimborne.

264: I like many others am not against supermarkets where they are needed but I feel for a town the size of Wimborne to have two supermarkets as close to each other is crazy and not needed and I am totaly against this sort of misuse of greenfield sites in the centre of any town not just Wimborne and at the end of the day its time that the will of the community was stronger than the will of the planners and large companys etc who only care about profit , I have only been living in Wimborne for a couple of years so still a newcomer to some but on a summers day what better than to walk up the precinct between WH Smiths and Somerfields with my daughter and stand by the river feeding the ducks and swans ,watching the trout swim by and then look across the river to see a green open space and a cricket match in progress ,what could be more idyllic certainly not a concrete monstrosity like a supermarket , let Wimborne be the town that stands their ground against the planners and lets keep all our town centre green field sites for our childrens future if not for our own ,In this day and age with the internet as fast as it is I for one rarely ever visit a supermarket as 90% of my shopping is delivered to my door via online shopping and I always support the greengrocer in town for all my fresh fruit and veg.

263: A big no to the cricket ground being built on for anything. 2000 extra cars a day around the town, it would be madness

262: This whole idea of another supermarket is quite unbelievable. The Chamber of Commerce seem to have such a backward view and you have to wonder whose interests they have at heart, Wimborne and its residents or their own gain. I'm a director of a retail company and their arguments for this supermarket are pretty weak. The idea that a better brand of supermarket would attract more visitors is completely hypothetical and unfounded. I actually believe a quality store like Waitrose would further damage the small shops and stores. As they are connected to John Lewis then they can offer more for less than any local business can. Local butchers, grocers would all be affected. I investigated the cost of shop rates in Wimborne and was frankly shocked. They are close to many rates in parts of London! If the Chamber of Commerce wants more shopping custom in Wimborne then they should reduce the rates, provide better support to new independent stores especially those with local produce and reduce the number of franchise and non-essential stores like opticians - how made opticians does a Wimborne need!! In this day and age, building on any green site is totally unnecessary and should be avoided at all cost.

261: My dog and I use a large area of green open space in the middle of Wimborne everyday, it's available to all 24 hours a day 7 days a week and it's called the Recreation Ground. Don't use untruths (i.e the Cricket pitch is the last open space!) to try & destroy the commercial viability of Wimborne - grow up and use the wonderful open space that is already here, and give the town a chance to grow in quality & stature within the county of Dorset. Please note I have lived in & around Wimborne all my life (40+ years) making me a true voice of the town.

260: My husband and I moved here 16 months ago after living in London our whole lives - its beautiful and the thoght of it turning into a clone of other local towns (and we looked at many before deciding on Wimborne)is a worry. The cricket green is a real feature as you drive into the town - the thought of seeing ANY development on this ground will change the face of the town forever. I will be writing to my councillor at the appropriate time and will be happy to help in any way I can.

259: I most certainly do not want Waitrose to take over the cricket green. I have only lived in Wimborne for 8 months and it is a beautiful town and the last thing it needs is a large supermarket ruining the centre and the Cricket green is used for Wimborne festival . There are plenty of supermarkets close by Tesco and sainsburys in Ferndown . And we have Somerfield In the town . I strongly oppose this move and plead with anyone to stop this from happening.

258: I live directly opposite the Field, and would be greatly disheartend to look out of my window and be presented with a supermarket, and considering parking is already a nightmare for people like my self, bringing a large supermarket would only worsen this situation. Thank You

257: To me, even thinking about destroying a wonderful green area is utterly insane and there is absolutely nothing wrong with Somerfield apart from the products being less expensive and of less quality.And what about less well-off people? surely they wouldn't even be able to afford the products from Waitrose! I think that people who are for this terrible idea are very selfish and aren't thinking of our beautiful countryside enough than they should be.

256: I am concerned like many of you by the proposal to step (or extend steps) to change the retailing in Wimborne from having stop keepers to large national and multi-national business organisations. Waitrose proposes a development on the Hanham's Cricket Ground. With a new arrival on the horizon and the arrival of Julian Graves, a large retailer, are we seeing business premises costing traders their survival in Wimborne. What I write here is to revive the heart, spirit and will of the traders of Wimborne. Wimborne is a market town with a rich architectural tapestry and composition of green landscape that sets it apart from neighbouring towns in the UK, people from far and wide, including from London go to tap into it's rhythm, culture and thriving community and decide to stay for a bit and even find they cannot leave this idyllic place. Wimborne is cosy, it is middle England. Modernist buildings cannot come off unless you have exceptionally gifted architect for it to come off, if and when poor building materials are used, and need to have generous budgets and sufficient time frames to complete them in with time particularly for consultation and for the design. I am concerned that this tapestry is being undermined by what might be described as narcissistic flamboyant (industrial) modernist buildings pursuit of a business ultimate corporate vision and it's inherent corporate clone architecture, that this is not in keeping with the soul of the town which makes for a poor aesthetic marriage between the two. The low standard dated developments to date are seen and will be seen by further generations as disjointed, awkward and see there being clash with the aesthetic beauty that is seen in historic architecture of Wimborne, that so epitomises city centres. We come to see these dated modern developments these like a toy project that once gleamed and was once oh so new and wonderful, was simply mirage, of false hopes, aspirations and dreams, and as we walk on by it is now without the promise it once so had. Just like the development that was built in the 1980's for shops and supermarket, one feels the unfulfilled hopes and dreams with a sense of depleted ness, an inner deadness that on rainy days comes to be dismal and have been made aware that many Wimborne people would be happy to see it demolished and redeveloped. The needs of the community were not given sufficient thoughtful consideration for the project to stand the test of time, at a time when the town was thriving. Many local people are very unhappy with the local supermarket. I interviewed a local person, he said when he moved to Wimborne, Wimborne Minster twenty five or so years ago was a town with a lot of shops, a unique place with all local hussell -bussell of a thriving town. The product and market life cycle of Safeway's has waned resulting in the handover to Somerfield, which has meant and both resulted that the local supermarket is an unhappy marriage with the character and needs of it's community. People perhaps have less reason to relocate, rent, and move home and shop here. The cricket ground in such a context then seems far removed from solving this problem as it stands. The cricket ground of historic value and although an asset that we have the Hanhams to thank for, it has been of insufficient benefit to Wimborne because the people it is intended for have not been allowed to access to it to have a stroll, walk their dog and have some lunch. It is necessary open space beside being an area of green land, and as such it has not reached it's full potential and is undervalued, and as it a result it is sourced as a source of contempt by it's opponents. The cricket facilities are no match to the cricket facilities that you see in Christchurch town centre. The Minister and the Tivoli are a large part of the heart of Wimborne because and due to with the love and altruism of its volunteers but the same love and altruism has sadly not been placed here for it to be more than area of green land, it admittedly has been neglected, this may partly due to low attendance. The sport's grounds in Wimborne are not well publicised well for local people to become involved (either as spectators or as participants), this includes our little heard of football club, this needs to be with not resorting to alcohol sponsored advertising to bring the community 'spirit' together. Wimborne has so much to offer it's community as a civilised community town. Maybe Keep Wimborne Green membership need to getting involved here and it has taken all this to get things to change. And here I have a suggestion, if I haven't already put across a suggestion. Wimborne needs to work on the very qualities I have mentioned, which are so much more again, it needs more individual shops or shops to pride themselves more on their individuality, providing a bakery with the fresh smell of bread in the morning, a specialist coffe.

255: Copy of a letter sent to
Cllr C
Chairman
East Dorset District Council

Dear Councillor
The Hanhams Cricket Pitch in Wimborne
It would appear that the "Waitrose on the Cricket Ground" issue has divided the normally peace-loving inhabitants of the Town.
The real point, however, is not the arrival of Waitrose, but the loss of the rather unique green space. Those who have expressed opposition to the idea are mostly concerned about the "urbanisation" and would like to reject any building on that land.
The matter has now been aired for some two years thus we would gather that there is no great urgency for it to be concluded with undue haste.
We would like to suggest that, since there will be local elections on the first Thursday in May next year, the matter be put to a referendum of the local electorate.
The question could be very simple "Should the EDDC Planners permit building of any kind to take place on the green space in Wimborne known as "Hanhams the Home of Wimborne Cricket"?".
This could be put just to the wards in close proximity to the town, say within 5 miles. However, it could be fair for this question to be put to the wider EDDC electors, since, if we are to believe the figures put forward by Waitrose, the Supermarkets in Ferndown and Verwood will have a loss of customers and that will affect their viability and sustainability also.
We urge you to consider this proposal.
Yours sincerely

254: Am wishing to support you, rather belatedly I'm afraid. I'm really upset I didn't get to the exhibition at the Allendale Centre. I think it would be very bad for Wimborne and am prepared to put in time. Has a petition been done? Is there enough volunteers to have the whole of Wimborne covered door-to-door to get several thousand signatures to hand in to the planners or possibly Waitrose? I've led 2 successful campaigns doing this and would be prepared to assist.

253: I'd like to express my support for the campaign against the proposed Waitrose developement. If there is anything I can do to support the opposition of the developement, publicly or otherwise, please let me know.

252: In the 24/7 rat-race world i'm forced to live in (at the behest of others), the tranquility of a Sunday morning in Wimborne town centre is one of life's more cathartic experiences. If Waitrose opens (can't see them staying closed on Sunday) then the ambience is gone forever... If Waitrose comes they should build / take over Crown Mead. And stay shut on Sundays !

251: We really cannot understand how anyone can even consider turning Wimborne into just another faceless town.The town is not large enough for two supermarkets...so, would Somerfield become an extra large charity shop?We love Wimborne...but would certainly be moving away when we retire in ten years time if the town is spoilt in this way...and so would many others whom we have spoken to. I have nothing against Waitrose - I used to work for them - but this is plainly wrong. Just avarice dictating policy.

250:Sad, very sad, please don't do it

249: It would be a shame to loose the green town centre, the traffic would also be a nightmare. I know that the land will be sold, but with some luck an agreement can be found.

248: Keep the green!

247: I used to work for Waitrose and think very highly of John Lewis Partnership, but I can't justify them or anyone building on the cricket ground.

246: I like Waitrose and hate cricket but I still think this isn't a good plan.

245: The cricket pitch should not be built on. Open spaces in the centre of towns villages should be protected.
Darren

244: I find it extraordinary that a proposal to site a supermarket on a beautiful cricket green in an historic town such as Wimborne is even being considered.The green is bordered by attractive residential houses some of them dating back to the Georgian and early Victorian periods.Even the new social services offices adjoining the green have been sympathetically rebuilt to fit in with the surrounding architecture.The area should be retained as it is for public enjoyment and future posterity.The erection of a ghastly glass and concrete edifice on such a site is inconceivable.Commercially of course it will kill more shops in the town if built.I would question the vague supposition that it will bring more business to the town-it will only bring unwanted traffic congestion and blight the appearance of that area of Wimborne.
Chris

243: How can this developement be beneficial to Wimborne? Look at Blandford and other similar towns. Dying because of one large store! What about the Folk Festival? All the car parking for that is on the cricket ground. So what happens when their is no parking? Suddenly the Folk Festival is moved to some where out of town (Canford Arena?) and what is the benefit of that to Wimborne? Keep Wimborne green. Think about the issues not just in the centre of town! All that extra traffic and no improvement to the roads!. The Wimborne by pass has failed to kep the traffic out of Wimborne. Midlehill Rd and Allenview Rd are now the bypasses for the Wimborne By Pass! Leigh Road cannot cope with existing levels of traffice yet Waitrose admit that Leigh Rd is the only route available for their delivery lorries. Remember that the proposed Churchill flats developement next to Catholic Church will increase traffic again on Leigh Rd. The plans show three roundabouts and two crossings between Rowlands Hill and Leigh Rd / Poole Rd junction. Has anybody though how the police, ambulance and fire brigades are going to get through bearing in mind that all their current bases will necessitate them using the Rowlands Hill to Leigh Rd / Poole Rd route? In Romsey, Waitrose wanted to build a store in the middle of town and 'people power' forced them to rethink and, eventually, build an out of town site. Come on Wimborne wake up and stop this over development. Come on Wimborne councillors stand up for our town or face the wrath at the ballot box.
Peter

243: Having visited the Waitrose exhibition this week I was pleased to see that they have listend to feedback from the consultation earlier and have produced a revised plan that is very acceptable. The town will now actually benefit from more green space that is accessable to the general public than it has now. We need to face facts here - the cricket pitch is a green space used by a minority of people. The Waitrose plan will create a parkland space with a very attractive river frontage that will be open to anybody. Finally, as I have been invited to vent my feelings, I will - I felt the staff from Waitrose at the exhibition were very professional and well informed. Unlike a representative of KWTG who was quite frankly very rude to my wife when she declined to take one of their leaflets - not a good strategy for gaining support!
Andrew .........Its a pity is it not that Waitrose do not publish any comment both in support of the proposals or as more likely, against. Peter KWTG Web master.

242: We do not want a cricket field behind our house we want it to remain on the site it is now as one of the central points of the town. Wimborne Minster is famous for its appearance and another supermarket can only adversely effect this.
Keith

241: Why have another supermarket when the one we have now is already undersubscribed?
Michel

240: I have lived in Wimborne since I was at Allenbourne middle school and remember the fields over by Walford Mill before the houses and surgery were built, also the houses behind the fire station. I dont want my daughter growing up not able to enjoy the green spaces left in wimborne a mere memory! Once it has gone it has GONE! Why if Waitrose were interested in Wimborne did they not buy the Safeways building instead of Somerfield? Lunacy....
Jessica

239: I'd like to express my support for the campaign against the proposed Waitrose developement. If there is anything I can do to support the opposition of the developement, publicly or otherwise, please let me know.
Alison

238: Now that the new old folks home has been built, i can't see that having a Waitrose would be a problem as it could hide what i must say is the most disgusting building in the town! And it is not the only bit of green in the town, have people forgotten about Redcotts? Yes it is not right in the centre but it is only a five minute walk away.
Martin sic

237: STOP Wrecking our towns and countrysides!
Jamie

236: Wimborne doesn't need another supermarket! Keep the cricket ground!
Helen

235: I am completely against the wimborne cricket pitch being turned into a supermarket. The cricket pitch is an old, central, recognisable, pleasant and green feature of wimborne - something we should be proud of. Something that not many old market towns still have, but we do and we should protect it. It is well loved in the town and it attracts an enormous ammount of tourism at the folk festival and people come from far and wide to watch the cricket and visit the cricketers arms pub. The thought that the cricket pitch could be turned into a supermarket of all hideous things, is simply disgusting. We all ready have a supermarket and we have room for it to be moved and expanded elsewhere - it doesn't need to destroy the cricket pitch - a well loved feature of wimborne.
Rose

234: We should keep wimborne green. Why build more Super markets when we already have one about 10 metres away
Katie

233: I am appalled that the council would even consider allowing Waitrose to build on our last area of central greenery. They may as well say they want to build on the Minster Green! So many people oppose this! We have one supermarket, so why use valuable green land on another one? It's pointless, when there are other areas in the vicinity of Wimborne that could be used. Don't let it go ahead.
Rosie

232: What I - and I'm sure others must be wondering - is why can't an improved supermarket be build around the existing Somerfield site - possibly somehow incorporating the empty shops between Boots and Smiths? Why are these shops empty? I know people who are for the Waitrose development just because they prefer Waitrose as a supermarket to Somerfield. What we all want is a good quality supermarket which compliments the town's other retailers.
Gill

231: My family have recently moved to Wimborne, and one of the nicest features of the town in my opinion is the Cricket ground. I am very concerned that building on this site will alter the whole feel of the town.
Tim

230: What I - and I'm sure others must be wondering - is why can't an improved supermarket be built around the existing Somerfield site - possibly somehow incorporating the empty shops between Boots and Smiths? Why are these shops empty? I know people who are for the Waitrose development just because they prefer Waitrose as a supermarket to Somerfield. What we all want is a good quality supermarket in the area designated for supermarket and shops, one which compliments the town's other retailers.
Gill

229: If I were to walk to Somerfield and pick up some food it seems obvious that my next course of action would be to walk home. Wouldnt it be brilliant if our town, our home, was transformed from a beautiful place to live to a supermarket ghetto? Also, what if you or I get hungry in the 100 yards or so between the supermarkets? We will obviously need another one to quench the hunger. It is more than just bizzare to build two supermarkets so close to each other in a town so small, it is the victory of big money over the small town.
Edward

228: Wimborne is a lovely market town with a unusually individual character which is fast being eroded by 'development' such as this.
Lycia

227: I have no objection either to Waitrose coming to Wimborne. I think it would be an asset, but not on the cricket field. Why cannot they use the Somerfield supermarket, and also buy out the surrounding shops, as most are charity ones, to make a bigger and better site for them. With the money Waitrose obviously have I am sure they can come to some agreement with the surrounding shops to buy them out! I think the passageway along the river, and those shops are an eyesore anyway! Oh, and the cricket field should be made in to an area where people can sit and enjoy the only bit of green we still have in Wimborne. Tables, seats and trees can be placed for all to enjoy.
Sandra

226: Wimborne does need a large high quality supermaket but not in the centre of one of the most attractive towns in southern England. It should be located outside the town so that people have easy access with parking and a regular bus service from the town centre. The development of the green space will be detrimental to the town and it's future.
Keith

225: People who would like to see a Waitrose on the cricket field should take into account the fact that it may not remain as such. After all, the original Safeway store in Crown Mead became a Morrison which later became a Somerfield. More importantly, once planning permission has been granted for a large retail supermarket the field could easily become the future site of, say, an even larger B & Q type do-it-yourself store. It should be remembered that in planning terms there is little difference.
John

224: Waitrose WILL destroy our town if it is allowed to build a superstore. We DO NOT NEED on a part of our town that means so much to so many people.
Alex

223:So much for the "green" being designated as an open space for recreation! Only if you are a member of the cricket club it seems. Today is a bank holiday. No-one is playing a match. No-one was misbehaving. But my son and husband were "thrown out" for using the cricket nets. At least Waitrose would allow the public access to use the land. Currently most of us are only allowed to look from the outside!
Pamela

222: Wimborne is not big enough to take the traffic, if this happens it will be the end of small traders. Anyone who believes the spin Waitrose and others are saying must be living on another planet
Trudi

221: Keep Wimborne a rural town, stop building on every space possible.
Justine

220: Interested to see that the cricket pitch is a designated "recreational space" - as its always locked and the general public have no access. Your impression of what the supermarket might look like wholly mis-respresents the real view that Waitrose put forward at the planning meeting, as does the impression that local stores object. Actually in the majority they all welcome a Waitrose store - as it will bring welcome trade to an area that is slowly being over taken by Opticians and Estate Agents. As a resident I also welcome the prospect of being able to shop in my own town - rather than having to use my car to drive to Ferndown.
Tamara

219: Wait up on the Waitrose development
Ewan

218: If you want to see what Supermarket competition can do when in near proximity, you only have to look towards Ringwood or Blandford Forum. Fortunately for Ringwood, Sainsbury's decided to take over the shell left by Somerfields, when they lost business to Waitrose. However, for Blandford Forum, Somerfields is just a brick eyesore with wooden boarding where the windows once were. In both towns, you also need to look at the effect the excessive supermarket provision has had on the local traders. Disasterous! The road network which would serve the Waitrose proposal is woefully inadequate. Adding the burden of traffic to Waitrose cause the road network jam at certain times of the day. Waitrose's proposal will not just affect the Cricket Pitch, it WILL have a negative affect everyone. Keep Waitrose out of Wimborne. Why not put them slightly out of town with a more suitable road network (A31) and more centrally to serve Broadstone, North Poole, Wimborne and Corfe Mullen.
John

217: My mother was a vice president of the club and spent her last years supporting them. Her memorial is Lorna's Gate and her ashes were scattered there. To her family this is an important location. I hope it will remain unspoilt by commerce.
Geoffrey

216: I do not want to see the green changed to erm! what looks rather like a ghastly motorway service station. It would only mean, more cars, more traffic lights, blah blah! Not to mention more profit to buy yet more Sites. Same goes for Tesco.con. Good on you folks,
Steven

215: Why take away the greenery when crown mead is gradually becoming an unused shell, it dosen't take much to work out where Waitrose would be best placed. Most would welcome a Waitrose as suppose to Somerfield but not when it means sacrificing an area that makes Wimborne quite unique.
Lianne

214: What a horrible site that will be as you drive into Wimborne
Jane

213: No Waitrose or any other kind of Grocert store needed. We have it covered already!!!!
Jennifer

212: It would be a crying shame to lose the cricket pitch to the monstruous grip of the middle class, over priced Waitrose. What ever happened to supporting the locals! Love thy neighbour or feed and proliferate the power of corporate greed? Hmmmmmmmmmmm.. hard choice. And as for all that crap about their fine wine selection, stop being so sodding selfish!!! I can think of numerous "super"markets near by to satisfy your desire for fine wine.
Layla

211: Keep it don't kill it
Dave

210: Not on the cricket pitch... so many good memories, put it further from the main town please
Yasmina

209: Using a cricket pitch for a supermarket is bad enough, but putting that eyesore in the middle of the village is just plain silly
Leigh

208: Why does our local authority think it is acceptable to destroy the livelihoods of small businesses?
Ann

207: Losing the last decent expanse of green space within the town will forever change the idyllic appeal of Wimborne to both the local residents and the large amount of people who visit each year. This will surely have an adverse effect on all town businesses, as well as effect the bouyant property market within the area. I do not see any real evidence that it will benefit anyone other than the developers and the supermarket chain.
Paul

206: Just an idea, walking through the arcade next to Safeways/Morrison, and see that over half of the shops have either closed or have been turned into Charity Shops. A little bird has told me that W.H.Smiths would also like to sell up. Wonder if S/M would want to expand into those shops, and maybe allow Boots to run their own business from within? Has anyone thought to ask?
T

205: Supermarkets have destroyed the heart and soul of countless towns across GB. Why isn't more done to protect the character of our towns and cities? I sincerely hope that the KWTG action group are sucessful in persuading Waitrose to find another town - out of town!
Sophie

204: It would be a great shame if this green was lost. It is one of a diminishing number of town greens that plays a vital part in the community.
David

203: We do not need two supermarkets in Wimborne, especially on our one remaining piece of green space. It would certainly be no great loss if Waitrose took over the Somerfield!
Toby

202 :Paved over Paradise and put up a parking lot! Do the Council of Wimborne really think that this is what the people want or is money that important to them?
Sue and Martin

201: I am behind you all the way. I am sick of multi-national corporations destroying the souls and quality of people's and local businesses with these sick commercial developments. No more! We have a choice and the right to stop these greedy global fatcats.
Nikky

200: Who in their right mind would allow this to happen, apart from someone taking a back hander and the sniff of an easy buck...... why not build flats in the Minster while they're at it !!! better not give 'em idea's..... James

199: A big supermarket is totally unnecessary in Wimborne. Keep Wimborne green!
Chris

198:For God's sake, is nothing sacred? How much more is rampant consumerism going to continue to destroy the very fabric of our towns and villages? Support your local shops before its too late.. Don't let a horrible hedge fund take over our gorgeous ground!
Anthony

197: Why is Wimborne and its folks full of character? does the environment and landscape in which people choose to be, affect how the people and the place feel? -absolutely Wimborne is a growing and thriving town with conflicting land uses, much like any other growing urban settlement. Will the loss of its character and landscape detract from wimbornes appeal. -of course what then is the point of this loss of traditional landscape in terms of Wimbornes credentials? consumer needs and service providers are ever on the up but at what cost. Waitrose may do more than other supermarkets to source local food and provide responsibly but where is its responsibility and respect for its potential new home? this must surely be a consideration for the planners of this new store. keep Wimborne green. We all love it.
Dan

196:Geez! There is another supermarket within a few yards of this site plus at least 2 more in the surrounding area. Does Wimborne really need this supermarket. Is it for the good of the residents? Deeply upset.
Ben

195: More green less grey
Olly

194: Surely a brown field site is a more appropriate location for this supermarket.
Graham

193: Open spaces are valuable, and should be retained.
Paul

192: This is simply outrageous.
Katy

191: I must admit I am in two minds about this. Although it would be a shame to see the old ground go, Waitrose is a good supermarket. Exceptional wine collections. If it was an Asda or Tesco I would definately be against it. Which ever way this goes, I'm a winner really!!!
Mark

190: NO WAITROSE
Reena

189:Keep Wimbourne Green
Sharron

188: Please accept my sincere apologies if I sound so rude, but the people responsible for such a shite idea, like building another horrible supermarket in the middle of a green patch, whichever location that green patch is!! should be put somewhere in a corner of this planet where all the terrible waste that they produce goes, and with all the other wrong 'uns that keep doing the same thing. They all should have a veggie patch and try to be green for once!! We only have ONE PLANET, I wonder what they all will do when it has been concreted... where will they go? to a place called Wrong'un Land? Can you imagine what that place would be like?
Freespiritipa

187: I grew up in Wimborne and still come back regularly. As much as I think that Wimbrone would benefit from Waitrose I do think that they should choose a more appropriate site as it would be disaster if Wimborne lost its iconic beauty spot to concrete. Lessons are to be learnt from the Imax building in Bourmenouth ruining the sea view. I strongly oppose the building of Waitrose on the cricket ground but encourage them to look for an alternative site in Wimborne.
Melisa

186: NOooooooo!!!
Joanna

185: I feel that the proposal to build a supemarket on our cricket pitch is an absolute disgrace. The cricket pitch is a defining feature of Wimborne - how anyone can justify the first thing people see when driving into Wimborne being a supermarket I cannot understand.
Joanne

184: How can it even be considered? What exactly will another supermarket achieve? More traffic? More congestion? Oh, and sorry, but what about the history behind the pitch? Wimborne is beautiful, and once something like this happens it will create a knock on effect, and then, in time it will just become another scabby town. Leaving it how it is will ensure there will be revenue from visitors for a long time to come. Don't lose it forever, because there wont be any room for turning back. Think about it, and sort yourselves out!!!
Ben

183: Keep Wimborne Green! Do we really need another supermarket? Does it need to be on the lovely cricket pitch? No and no. Such a proposal would destroy a beautiful and picturesque space, the main green space left in Wimborne. Wimborne attracts visitors because it is pretty, so we would also be doing no favours to the tourist trade by allowing this to happen. Putting money into the pockets of the conglomerates and taking it away from the community. Should we not instead be regenerating local independent businesses so that there is no longer enough demand for another supermarket because people are spending money on local produce in local shops. Say yes to saying no!
Josh

182. I object to the future planning on green belt in Corfe Mullen, the area in which I live but I am only a stones throw from Wimborne which, although busy with cars taking the kids to school in the morning, I cannot stand the thought of the delivery lorries to Waitrose belching out their fumes and rumbling past the lovely houses overlooking the pitch. Keep it a green and allow all to enjoy it!
Sue

181: No way! Its completely ridiculous.....surely all parties can see this??
Sarah

180:Our town is full of character & tradition which makes it a great place to live. I fear having another retail giant built in Wimborne will remove another chunk of individuality, steering our town closer to the generic, souless ghost towns that dominate this country.
Boo

179: This were our lovely town gets converted into just any other grey town that might as well be a suburb of London. if we are not careful! I understand, that the town needs to grow financially, but a line has to be drawn somewhere...where next..the Minster green!? Waitrose should go build it somewhere else, somewhere that is not so important to the local people. The cricket pitch is like Wimborne's mascot. The Warm welcoming post card picture as you enter the town....
Kaan

178: May I advise talking to those running Streets Meadow, and pointing out how bad the view will be for old folks looking out their window onto concrete and more out of town shoppers. I like waitrose,