Wimborne Waitrose campaign

Description:

Wimborne supermarket campaigners in a bid to thwart plans !

Those fighting to stop a Waitrose supermarket being built in Wimborne have launched a bid to the county council to have the land designated as a town green in an attempt to stop building work.

An application has been submitted to Dorset County Council by Keep Wimborne Town Green's (KWTG), with statements of evidence from community members saying that they have used the site off Rowlands Hill for leisure and recreation.

The County Council must now consider the application and can reject it, approve it, or hold a public enquiry to adjucate on it.

As far as KWTG are concerned all building work should stop until a decision is reached.

Campaigners say they are concerned that building work is continuing, but expect it to cease once the county council's legal department act in accordance with the legislation.

However Dorset County Council has consulted Defra who state that it is for the landowner to decide whether to stop work.

Waitrose has purchased the land and contractors have already fenced the perimeter of the site and commenced clearing topsoil. The supermarket chain said on Monday that it had not been told to stop work so work is continuing.

A spokesman from Dorset County Council confirmed that a village or town green is an area where people in the community have enjoyed legitimate sports pastimes as of right for no less than 20 years.