A PLANNING application for a new supermarket on the New Mills industrial estate in Ledbury has been submitted by Aldi this week.

The plan, at the time of writing, cannot yet be viewed online, because it is still in the process of being registered by Herefordshire Council, the planning authority.

But Aldi says the new food store, if approved, will give Ledbury shoppers more choice and create a welcome jobs boost, with around forty new jobs in the pipeline.

An Aldi spokesman said: "The new store will offer local residents the choice of Aldi’s wide range of competitively priced range of goods.

"The jobs created to operate the new store will guarantee work for each successful applicant of 25 to 30 hours per week at £8.40 an hour, which is above the government’s planned new National Living Wage."

A successful application will also lead to an expansion of the neighbouring Galebreaker factory, which makes weather protection for agriculture and industry, such as oil rigs, and is located adjacent to the proposed site of the Aldi store.

The plan is to build the store on vacant scrubland which is currently owned by Galebreaker.

The Aldi spokesman added: "The application will facilitate the expansion of the neighbouring Galebreaker factory.

"This would help to preserve existing local jobs, create new ones and secure the future of this local business in Ledbury."

Aldi is claiming widespread local support for its interest in Ledbury.

The spokesman said: "An extensive public consultation involving the residents of Ledbury prior to the submission of the application revealed substantial support for Aldi’s proposals. To date, 885 (90%) of responses have been in support of the plans.

“We’ve been working closely with the planners at Herefordshire County Council to produce an application that benefits Ledbury. With approximately 40 jobs created through our new store and the additional employment created by expanding the Galebreaker factory, there is a real economic benefit for the town."

Aldi is calling for Ledbury people to continue to make their views known.

The spokesman added: “I would urge all those who have taken an interest in our proposals to make their views known to Herefordshire Council and local councillors as the application reaches a decision over the coming weeks."