Plans have been submitted to demolish Railway Cottage beside Aldi’s new Canford Bottom store.
The supermarket wants to remove the bungalow at 24 Canford Bottom, saying this would allow improved soft landscaping around the development.
The building had originally been included for demolition in Aldi’s first plans for the site, but that part was later withdrawn.
Railway Cottage has links to Dorset’s railway past and was once home to a level crossing supervisor. It sits just off the route of the former Southampton and Dorchester rail line, which opened in June 1847, with the final section of the route lifted in 1974.
A consultant acting for Aldi said the property has been “extensively altered and renovated” and now shows little of its original form. The submission says only the southern range of the original building appears to survive and adds there is “nothing of interest” inside because it has a modern domestic interior.
The plans have drawn objections locally. Nearby resident Hilary Pascall said she “strongly” objected to the loss of what she described as “a perfectly good property”, adding that the cottage is “part of the history of Canford Bottom”.
Colehill Town Council has also objected. It said it would be saddened by the loss of the historic building and the reduction in housing stock, and would support Railway Cottage being added to the designated heritage list.
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