Dear Editor,

I have to agree wholeheartedly with the views of Phil Angus in his recent letter. The planning application lodged by Lidl for Wolf Business Park is actually a real opportunity, perhaps thinly disguised, to offer Ross some measured and balanced commercial development within an area of already agreed expansion - the Hildersley housing, alongside the ‘Enterprise Park’.

Both of these developments are shortly to begin, we are told, bringing with them increased opportunity for Ross Town – centre and fringes. The Ross Town Council, with absolutely no doubt the best of motives, have I believe been unnecessarily overcautious in their approach, which could potentially be counter-productive.

It has been well documented that Morrisons is indeed very busy - planners should not shrink from providing them with more healthy competition. They are clearly not in need of protection.

Given the above imminent development and the attendant demand it will bring, I think the risk of a heavyweight application for a large retail site on the Labels side of the A40 will be far more likely – if the modest and balanced application from Lidl is ignored at this time. That potential subsequent application for the A40 corridor is the clear and real threat to the town centre that we should resolutely defend against. That is what would absolutely cause the damage. This could be an entirely unintended consequence, I believe, of acting overcautiously now.

The Lidl application should be approved, subject to whatever caveats the Planning Authority may require. I hope Herefordshire Council will be able to take such a balanced and measured view in the wider context of positive planning for the future of Ross. Finding a beneficial and sustainable solution, whilst guarding against hugely damaging potential development.

Roger Hanson

Ross-on-Wye