Bid for new Lidl store in Herefordshire fails

A plan for a new Lidl store in a Herefordshire town has been rejected by a government inspector.

The plan for land south of the Leadon Way roundabout with Dymock Road and Ross Road in Ledbury would have potentially also brought forward a new medical centre and children’s nursery.

It was originally refused by Herefordshire Council in June 2020, partly because of the feared impact the store would have on the town centre – a position backed by Ledbury Town Council.

One of the applicants, Coventry-based Deeley Properties, appealed against the decision, but now planning inspector Matthew Shrigley has backed the council’s refusal.

The case hinged on interpretation of county and neighbourhood plans’ policies on employment land. But Mr Shrigley ruled that overall, the proposal “would run counter to adopted strategic aims”.

He concluded that any benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the harm to “the overall vitality and viability of a town centre renowned for regular market days selling local produce and having a mix of independent shops meeting local needs”.

The likelihood that an approved scheme would have led to a new medical centre alongside the Lidl was unclear, he said.

“Discussions with local medical practitioners gives me some positive assurances of delivering a new facility. But there is no binding planning commitment which would guarantee all of the uses would be successfully delivered if the appeal was allowed.”

The original application drew 40 objections, and 20 submissions backing it.

The town’s current draft neighbourhood development plan earmarks the site for non-retail development, saying it would “encourage sensitive proposals” under office, research, light industrial, medical, health or hotel uses.

Coun Liz Harvey told fellow town councillors the outcome “is good news”.

Her email, posted online by Coun Ewen Sinclair, goes on to say: “Now what about going on the front foot and encouraging a Premier Inn-style, rooms-only, budget hotel development at this location? What scope might there be for a community-led development funded by local investors?”