Save Wimborne Town Green

In the face of corporate big business I and countless others are now fighting a desperate last-ditch battle to save the last open green space in our town from being completely over-run by a huge supermarket development. Hanham's Ground is two hectares of open green land used as a cricket field since 1793, adjacent to the River Allen, and close to the centre of our historic Dorset Minster Town of Wimborne. For several years, Waitrose have been trying to acquire the site in order to build a Waitrose supermarket.

Despite strong local opposition demonstrated by several local petitions, East Dorset District Council perversely granted planning permission in February 2009 and construction on the site commenced during January 2010.

This land is adjacent to the River Allen, a chalk stream and Biodiversity Action Plan Habitat, home to otters, the threatened white-clawed crayfish, water voles and other wildlife and birds. There are grounds for believing that measures taken by the developer are inadequate to protect the water from harmful pollution. A significant proportion of the development site lies within a flood plain.

Hanham's Ground lies within a Conservation Area and the developer has failed to demonstrate that the supermarket will harmonize with existing town centre buildings, in accordance with the East Dorset District Council's own Planning Guidance. The change of use from an open green playing field to a supermarket and two-level car park, will irreversibly damage the character of the town centre.

The site lies close to a busy road that is already congested at peak times. The provision of an additional 215 parking spaces is estimated to increase traffic by 2000 vehicles per day.

However, all is not quite lost - yet! Philip Atlay, chairman of 'Keep Wimborne Town Green' had the foresight to register Hanham's Ground as a Town or Village Green with Dorset County Council, on 24th September 2009. Disgracefully, DCC did not publish the Application until 5th February 2010, a delay of 19 weeks. I have complained to the Local Government Ombudsman about this delay, which has allowed the developer time to commence construction.

We only have until 19th March 2010 to register support for the Town Green Application, which will then be reviewed by Dorset County Council. In support of the application, a new website has been set up where you may sign the Online Petition and also view the case against the Waitrose development.

If you value our towns and villages for our children and grandchildren, please visit:

www.savewimbornetowngreen.co.uk