Supermarket plans rejected

County planners have rejected plans for a Lidl supermarket, new medical centre and children’s nursery on the outskirts of Ledbury.

Deeley Properties Ltd and Countrywide Farmers PLC wanted to develop the 3.9 acres worth of grazing land south of Leadon Way and east of Dymock Road.

Their scheme included a new 23,412-square-foot Lidl, 17,760-square-foot medical centre and a 6,135-square-foot nursery.

And the shop would have 102 car parking spaces, 53 spaces are planned for the medical centre and the nursery would 35 spaces.

Consultants working on the scheme said the proposals would regenerate the site by providing a new modern, fit for purpose supermarket, along with new, complementary uses.

They said the development would create 200 jobs during the construction phase and 65 jobs at the nursery and food store.

But planning officers have rejected the scheme as it would have impact badly on Ledbury town centre.

“The proposal has implications for the viability and long term protection of heritage assets within the town centre which could fulfil an economic function, which in turn vacated, could have a detrimental impact on the character, appearance and amenity of Ledbury town centre which is a conservation area and an important tourist attraction,” the decision notice reads.