Lidl considering options after planning refusal

Bosses at budget supermarket Lidl are considering their options to open a new store in Ross-on-Wye after plans were rejected earlier this year.

Herefordshire Council turned down a scheme back in July which would have involved demolishing part of the Wolf Business Park on Gloucester Road and building a store on the 2.2-acre site.

Developers said it would have also created around 100 jobs at the store and by refurbishing the wider business park.

But county council officers said the scheme would be detrimental to the long term protection of the historic town centre and that Lidl failed to demonstrate why they could not use land or buildings within the defined central shopping and commercial area in Ross.

Other grounds for refusal included the unnecessary loss of trees, road safety concerns and it would result in the loss of employment land.

Despite the set back, Lidl representatives say they are still interested in setting up shop in Ross.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that the supermarket chain has contacted Ross Town Council with a view to developing the Homs Road car park.

Town councillors went into private session at a full council meeting earlier this month to discuss a developer’s interest in purchasing council owned property.
Council officers could not confirm nor deny any interest by Lidl but a source said the budget store was interested in the site.

County councillor for Ross West Louis Stark, whose ward includes the car park site, said he did not think it would be appropriate to comment when asked about his views on the potential development of the site.

Herefordshire Council transferred the ownership of the Homs Road car park to Ross Town Council in 2017.

A spokesperson for Lidl said they would update residents about any proposals for a new supermarket once they have considered their options.

“We are currently considering our options to bring a new store to Ross-on-Wye and will update the local community once we’re in a position to do so,” the spokesperson said.