“The lead article states,"A spokesman for Waitrose said: "We started work on site in October last year. We received a letter from the applicants over the Christmas period notifying us that they had made a village green application, but by this time construction was well under-way. We did not receive formal notification from Dorset County Council that the application had been made until last week. A construction programme was agreed with the local authority and we have not been asked to stop work at any point."

Waitrose are entirely incorrect and misleading. Waitrose were notified of the Town Green Application by Dorset County Council on 2 October 2009 BEFORE any construction started on the site. They are therefore proceeding with construction at their own risk, and with the knowledge that they may be required by law to reinstate the land to its former state. They are clearly attempting to complete the actual construction before the Town Green Application is decided, clearly in order to predjudice the Application. The cost implications or this possibility, not to mention the 200 new employees who will be out of a job, are a risk that is borne entirely by Waitrose”

“This is a development which the vast majority of Wimborne residents do not want, are horrified by and continue to rage against. Let me quote from just a few of the literally hundreds of passionate objections I have received:

Clare
"I have lived in Wimborne for most of my life and am both amazed and saddened to see such a blatant disregard for local public interest. There is absolutely no justification for the destruction of this greenfield site however creative the spin. This has to be stopped for the good of the local community, environment and the heritage of our our small towns. What an awful legacy to have to live with if this is not overturned."

Jim
"I am absolutely disgusted that planning authorities have allowed beautiful Wimborne to be so disfigured by this monstrosity."

John
"I am shocked at the size of the building in relationship to the original architect's drawings. How could they have possibly been passed? We have all been 'hoodwinked'. Shocking. Stop this destruction of our Village Green now."

Simon
"I feel so sorry for the OAPs who used to have a wonderful green to over look from their rooms and now will face a huge shop wall. The cricket pitch was a scenic beauty spot of the town and gave it that "village" old world feel that is now so rare in Britain. We are losing our identity. Please give us a town green."

Karen
"I was opposed anyway but having now seen the monstrosity - I feel I have been completely decived by the artists impression of the site - the amount of open park land around the shop will be minimal not at all the way it was sold to us. We need green open spaces - Wimborne was beautiful and now it is spoilt. It should be a town green."

Tim
"The cricket ground at Hanham's Ground was fundamental in the identify of Wimborne Minster as an individual market town, rather than just another urban area. I strongly feel that the money and fees, and misguided view that the development will increase the town's economy from this development have prejudiced the common sense view and wish of local residents to protect the identify of the town."

Helen
"I couldn't believe this development had been allowed to go ahead - I thought our local authority planners had more sense. That green space was such a picturesque asset in a busy little town."

Jean
"This development is an eyesore, an enormous blot on the landscape of our beautiful town. What of the people in Streets Meadow - no more lovely views - how sad for them to have to look at this monstrosity. Get rid of it!"

Fiona
"I am saddened to see how prominent the structure is. Wimborne will no longer be Wimborne, instead it will be "Waitrose" ! The entire character of Wimborne has gone and all for the profits of Waitrose."

Darren
"Despite overwhelming local public wishes that the cricket field be retained, a to-the-wire vote by the local council has permitted the desecration of this lovely site and the construction of the monstrosity of a building which you now see, and against legal challenge. Why not re-develop the former Somerfield store area and 1980's site currently in existence and in dire need of improvement."

Marion
"As someone who was born and bred in Wimborne, and who has since visited it on regular trips, it is appalling that this has been allowed to happen. I have been kept informed all along the way the events have unfolded and I cannot believe the Council would let this come to pass. Current traders are struggling as it is - and no amount of shops on a sanctified green will help them. This travesty of a decision should be reversed forthwith."

Michael
"Wimborne needs another supermarket like a hole in the head. The cricket field was one of the core values of Wimborne and was, in fact, in business terms, probably its unique selling point. Without it, it loses its special appeal and becomes just another suburban sprawl dominated by a characterless building, bringing no added value - another archite”

“Waitrose were notified of the Town Green Application by Dorset County Council on 2 October 2009 BEFORE any construction started on the site. They are therefore proceeding with construction at their own risk, and with the knowledge that they may be required by law to reinstate the land to its former state. They are clearly attempting to complete the actual construction before the Town Green Application is decided, clearly in order to predjudice the Application. The cost implications or this possibility, not to mention the 200 new employees who will be out of a job, are a risk that is borne entirely by Waitrose.”

“I am disgusted that Mr Atlay has persisted in declaring the green a public place of leisure.
My husband and myself came to Wimborne 24 years ago. We have always loved the town and its history. In all that time we have never had access to the green. The gates have always been closed when we have been in town and we have never seen anyone sitting on the green enjoying the sunshine and perhaps eating a picnic lunch. Sadly we had to give up our car two years ago due to my husband's failing health. Since then we have been restricted to shopping in the current supermarket which has never been of high standard. Indeed iit has changed hands several times since we came here. We are unable to get to Tescos at Ferndown easily or, for that matter, Sainsburys. My husband's mobility is very restricting and we rely on the little local bus or taxis. The quality of Waitrose products is well known also their cleanliness and we have been looking forward to their coming to Wimborne and delighted that they have progressed so well. The plans for the surrounding parkland sound more than enticing and the mere fact that perhaps we could sit in the sun in the summer with our little packed lunch is very appealing. Also that children will be allowed to play there and perhaps walk by the river, which, to my knowledge they have never done before. Mr Atlay's pursuit is purely selfish and is restricted to a certain few residents in the immediate area with no thought of anyone living with two miles of Wimborne who consider it their town too. I hope this application fails and so do many of my neighbours who, like us, are without cars and need the benefit of a good class supermarket near to home.”