I WRITE in support of the Lidl planning application for the following reasons —
1. This particular supermarket sells goods, in both food and non-food lines, which are not available in the other two supermarkets (Somerfield and Waitrose), and will therefore offer consumers a larger choice and variety than they have at present. I speak from personal experience of shopping at all three outlets.
2. Lidl does not, in my view, represent a threat to the other two supermarkets and in fact adds to their competitiveness. Indeed, I note that neither Somerfield nor Waitrose raise any objection to the Lidl application.
3. Lidl will provide an additional 100 plus parking spaces which will greatly compensate for the loss of spaces resulting from the Waitrose development and will more that make up for the additional traffic in School Way using Waitrose and Lidl.
4. The addition of a third supermarket will enhance the status of Okehampton as a thriving market town which the borough and town councils, the chamber of trade and Okehampton 2000 have been aiming for and working towards for years.
For all the above reasons, the Lidl application should be approved.
Monty Lerer
Saddlers Way
Okehampton
IN Okehampton we are now faced with the possible scenario of having a supermarket with one entry/exit onto a main thoroughfare with two more adjacent supermarkets down a cul-de-sac having a shared entry/exit on to the same thoroughfare directly across from the first supermarket. Apologies for the length and confusion.
I wonder if there is a government policy procedure guideline that encourages such ingenious development for a town centre. That is how the planners justified Waitrose landing on one of the town's prime assets.
If Somerfield is the loser in all this, could the planners consider that supermarket site for the new town medical centre or at least ensure some community use instead of the relentless rallying for retail we hear Okehampton town centre needs?
Ana Pulteney
91 Station Road
Okehampton