The Association of Ross Traders agreed to write to Herefordshire Council to object to the planning application by Tesco for a new store and petrol station at Overros Street last week. Their change of heart followed the publication of the Deloitte report into the application.

When the consulation period opened last year members voted to not take a stance as a group but individual members would support or object to the proposal as they saw fit.

Councillor Richard Mayo assured the members that although the official consultation period had come to an end the opinions of groups such as ART would still be taken into consideration.

He also explained that as a trader in the town himself he knew that there are many people in favour of the application. DPP had also compiled a report on behalf of Tesco rebutting many of the facts and figures given in the Deloitte report.

All ART members had been supplied with copies of the retail impact assessment by Deloitte, and the report from DPP. Cllr Mayo explained that it is difficult to know which report will prove to be correct. The members agreed to write to Herefordshire Council and strongly recommend it refuses the Tesco application on the grounds of the negative impact it will have on the sustainability of Ross town centre, as identified by the independent Deloitte Report.

Yolanda McGregor spoke to the Ross Gazette after the ART meeting to explain why she felt the members of ART had decided to object. She said:?"Having had the time to look at the independent numbers in the Deloitte report and the numbers in the Tesco rebuttal, it doesn't matter which way you cut it, it doesn't look good for Ross. There are not enough households, even with new housebuilding plans, to support the existing shops including Aldi, let alone any proposed Tesco development."

Local shopkeepers may have a different view from people who are not. She said:?"It doesn't make us bad people to consider the longer term picture for Ross. We are all working hard to make sure Ross remains an attractive place to live, work and visit."Simon Petar, Tesco's corporate affairs manager, commented: "Our plans will create a real boost for the local economy by attracting more people to shop in Ross-on-Wye. Many residents have told us that 250 jobs for local people and increased choice for shopping is something they would like to see in the town. We will continue to consult and discuss our plans with ART, other community organisations and local residents as we move forward."

The reports will be considered by Herefordshire Council, when the application goes before the Planning Committee which is not expected to be until March. Similar planning applications for two food stores in Leominster went before the Planning Committee last week and both were rejected.

After a lively debate on the Ross Gazette Facebook page last week, Councillor Andrew Atkinson arranged to meet those who are in favour of Tesco's arrival on Monday.

After the meeting, Cllr Atkinson said: "I explained, to the three people who showed up, that when people want something they don't tend to respond the consultation. It's obvious when we speak to local people that more want Tesco than not.

"I'm worried that the people who want Tesco, other than the applicant, will not be represented at the Planning Committee meeting when the application gets determined. If people want to speak at the meeting they should contact Herefordshire Council's planning department.

"I feel I can't do anymore than I've done to make people aware of what's happening. I've shared all of the information. There is nothing left for me to do on this issue until it goes to the committee."

Craig Anthony Bishop was one reader who responded on Facebook. He said:?"I would love to do all my shopping at the independent shops but plain truth is we cannot afford to – Aldi coming is very welcome and Tesco equally so – our town is growing and it's growing rapidly so we need to make sure there are enough affordable places for those on a stretched income to shop at –- and another petrol station is very welcome too in my opinion.

Louise Williams said:?"I just don't understand how it is acceptable to build all these new houses in Ross but not welcome another supermarket.

"Morrisons cannot sustain this growth it is too busy as it is. We need Tesco!"

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.