Dear Editor,

Last week`s letter from Andrea Wolf, re the proposal to modernise the Wolf Business Park, is clearly a call for balanced common sense to prevail, on the part of Herefordshire planners. I very much hope this will be the case, that the committee demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the very measured and sensible contribution this plan represents. Quite simply, Ross needs this modest development.

The present 290 house development along the A40 corridor is now firmly under construction. No-one would believe that will be the end of expansion in that part of town. The Model Farm Enterprise Park along the east-bound A40 is soon on its way. Yes - I really believe that.  Other pockets of housing are emerging around the district.

I, for one, would really like to see maximum encouragement to local shoppers to shop locally - from as wide a choice as can be made possible. If we allow Lidl to form a major part of the job enhancing redevelopment of the Wolf Tools site, that will be a significant step forward to attracting locals to stay shopping here and, inviting more from surrounding areas. It is long overdue that a well-known major local supermarket be provided with a wider source of competition.

In the days of Safeway in Ross-on-Wye, senior managers freely admitted that the store was the most profitable of its type in England at least. It is hard to imagine that Morrisons have squandered their inheritance. Clearly the store is well-used, or indeed `rammed` as many people have noted. Good for them, fair play, that`s business. But we`ve got to the stage where the status quo just won`t do. Some imagination and flair in decision making really must emerge.

The previous town council, rather over cautiously, no doubt for the best of reasons, decided not to back the Wolf Tools proposals. There were understandable concerns for the town centre viability but looking objectively, not every retail outlet can be sited in the town centre, Lidl do not sell everything anyone could ever need and, Monmouth town centre does not seem to have been upset by the advent of a clearly out of town Lidl store, all those years ago. Rather, it would seem to have enhanced the options available to Monmouth residents who, like their Ross cousins, are wise enough to make their own minds up. Good to see Daniel Lister of the new Ross Town Council give the proposal his backing now.

 I firmly believe that the Wolf proposals would be a positive boost for a growing town - offering a measured and proportional approach, widening choice and adding to employment. The possibility of full occupancy on a vibrantly reshaped modern commercial estate should be grasped - with whatever reasonable caveats or conditions may need to be considered with planners. The option of closing minds to this and refusing these plans will, I am certain, make it more likely Ross will later face an application by a major retail player for a large out of town location development, when further houses will have been built and push will perhaps inevitably come to shove. A big supermarket on the other side of the A40 is really not what`s needed. A small supermarket and light commercial package within the town boundary will reduce the risk of this happening, whilst giving us much more flexibility of choice and space to exercise it.

 I really hope that Herefordshire planning officers will be strongly advising an unblinkered committee to grasp this positive opportunity for our town.

Roger Hanson

Ross-on-Wye