Aldi is "grateful" for local support in Ledbury

The consultation period is over, and the proposal is likely to come before Herefordshire Council's planning committee, for debate and a decision, in August or September.

A spokesperson for Aldi said: “The application is currently being assessed by Herefordshire Council’s planning officers, who are due to make a recommendation in the near future.

"We are delighted with the response to its plans and the continued backing from local Ledbury residents, with over 120 letters of support published on Herefordshire Council’s website."

The spokesperson added: “We are grateful for the local support shown, and keen to continue to work closely with the community to realise the benefits of having an Aldi store in the town. We will make sure that we update local residents on any progress as soon as possible.”

Ledbury Town Council has already voted in support of the application, back in April, although the final decision lies with Herefordshire Council.

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."

If successful, the proposal will create at least 35 new jobs.

The food store, if approved by the planning authority, Herefordshire Council, would offer a floor space of 1794 sq metres.

The adjacent Galebreaker Group , the industrial wind-break company, seeks to expand its floorspace from an existing 3250 sq metres to 5536 square metres, an increase of 2286 sq metres.

This would create seven new full time jobs and 3 part time jobs, in addition to the 33 people already employed at Galebreaker.

The new food store would offer "109 associated car parking spaces and a minimum 10 external cycle parking spaces."

Galebreaker would increase its parking spaces from 52 to 80.