Battle of Dorking continues as Sainsbury’s and Lidl press on with plans

Waitrose won the battle to build a new supermarket in Dorking – but that hasn’t stopped Sainsbury’s and Lidl from pressing ahead with their own plans.

Earlier this year, Morrisons, Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Lidl were all fighting it out for permission to open a supermarket in the sleepy market town in Surrey. Waitrose emerged victorious in June, after its plans to extend its existing store won 61% of a public referendum and were given the nod by the council. The same vote saw Morrisons given a bloody nose, after its proposal won just 8% of the public vote; its plans were subsequently thrown out.

But despite Waitrose’s victory, Sainsbury’s and Lidl have not been deterred, and are pressing ahead with their original plans.

Last week, Lidl submitted plans for a new store, despite local concerns over increased traffic, and Sainsbury’s, which already has a supermarket on the high street, is set to submit new plans for a new store in January.

Meanwhile, Waitrose has run into trouble after it emerged that the expansion plans for Dorking will destroy a 300-year-old tree in its car park.