MORE than 120 local residents attended a public consultation event to learn more about proposals for a replacement Aldi food store and a new care home by LNT Care Developments at Wolf Business Park in Ross-on-Wye.

The event, held last week at The Larruperz Community Centre, formed part of a wider pre-application consultation being undertaken by Bordeaux Estates, Aldi and LNT Care Developments ahead of the submission of a planning application to Herefordshire Council and represents an investment of £9.7m into the local community.

Attendees were invited to view detailed plans for the proposed development, speak directly with members of the project team and provide feedback on the proposals.

The plans would see a larger replacement Aldi food store and a new, state-of-the-art care home developed on land at Wolf Business Park, delivering an investment of approximately £9.7 million into the local area.

Representatives from Aldi, LNT Care Developments, Bordeaux Estates and the wider consultant team were on hand throughout the event to answer questions and discuss issues raised by residents.

Initial feedback received during the consultation has highlighted support for increased retail choice, investment in Ross, job creation and the provision of new care accommodation.

Rob Jones, real estate director at Aldi, said: “We were delighted to welcome more than 120 people to the exhibition and were encouraged by the level of engagement shown by local residents.

“The feedback will play an important role in helping us refine the proposals before they are submitted to Herefordshire Council. Our aim is to deliver a high-quality development that brings new investment to Ross and improves retail choice for local residents.”

Charlotte Hatton, senior planner at LNT Care Developments, said: “Ross has a growing need for high-quality care provision, and our plans would deliver a modern 66-bed care home, create up to 60 local jobs and represent a significant investment in the town.

“We look forward to reviewing the feedback received and continuing to engage with the community as the project progresses."

The consultation remains open until midnight on Thursday, July 30, with residents and stakeholders still able to view the proposals and submit their comments online.

Local people can stoill take part in the public consultation by visiting the website: aldilntproposals.co.uk/rossonwye and completing the online feedback form or alternatively emailing: [email protected].

All feedback will be carefully considered and will help shape the final plans.

The proposals put forward by the three organisations include a commitment tp maintaining the Aldi store jobs in Ross with the prospect of up to an additional 10 jobs at the new store; Up to 60 new jobs at the proposed care home paid at competitive rates, focused on hiring from the local community and that the 66 bed, state-of-the-art care home will be managed by LNT Care Developments’ sister company Crystal Care Collection.

A total car parking capacity at Aldi will be for 114 cars. On the care home side, provision is being made for a total 25 cars, including two accessible, and five EV spaces.

Across the two sites there will be eight bicycle spaces and attractive ecologically sensitive landscaping.