Plans for former Countrywide store

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Monday, 27 January 2020 17:15

By Carmelo Garcia - Local Democracy Reporter

Plans are afoot to demolish the former Countrywide Farmers store in Ledbury.

Frozen fruit and vegetables suppliers Newberry International Produce want to move onto the Hazel Park site off Dymock Road.

Company representatives have submitted proposals to Herefordshire Council for permission to build a production building and demolish the old store.

Architects working on the scheme say the proposed building will be larger and have 51,935 sq ft of retail space — the old store has 20,300 sq ft of floor space.

“The proposed is of a similar scale and mass to the existing building facing the Dymock Road which due to its location is more visually dominant,” an architect said.

“We therefore consider the new build element to be acceptable in terms of scale and mass when considered against those buildings within close proximity.”

The site currently has 150 car parking spaces and six spaces for heavy goods vehicles.

Newberry want to reorganise the existing forecourt which will lead to 106 car parking spaces, three for motorcycles, six for bicycles and a six lorry spaces, if planners approve the scheme.

Architects say new materials will match the existing built form to ensure that the proposed will blend with the existing structure.

Residents have until February 20, to comment on the plans and can do so on the council’s planning portal website.

The council is expected to consider the scheme by April 23.