A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build a new Lidl store in a neighbouring town has been given the official go-ahead.

Councillors on Herefordshire Council’s planning committee haver unanimously backed the discount retailer’s proposal, to go beside the roundabout where Ledbury’s Leadon Way, the A449 Ross Road and B4216 Dymock Road meet. The scheme also includes a proposals for a medical centre and day nursery.

Daniel Ingram, on behalf of the Co-operative which has a supermarket in Ledbury pointed out that a similar previous bid by the company had been refused in 2021 due to its likely impact on the town, with an appeal against the refusal dismissed a year later.

The impact of the current proposal “would be the same, to the detriment of the town centre”, he said.

But Lidl’s planning agent Rob Mitchell said there were “no outstanding technical objections” to its scheme, on land earmarked for such use, which planning officer Ollie Jones had recommended for approval.

“Ledbury is growing, with completions and permissions for over 1,200 new homes since 2011 – not matched by the growth in employment-generating development or community facilities,” he said.

“The store will create up to 40 jobs, and Lidl pay industry-leading salaries.”

Meanwhile an agreement whereby Lidl, which owns the site, would fund building of the medical centre and provide other local benefits has now been concluded, Mr Mitchell said.

The application was passed unanimously. A further application addressing the design and layout of the scheme will still need to be approved.