Plans to build a supermarket, GP’s surgery and children’s day nursery in Ledbury will go before a planning inspector this month.

The proposal, which would see a Lidl built on land off Leadon Way near the Hawk Rise development, was rejected by Herefordshire Council in 2021.

But an appeal was lodged by applicants Deeley Properties and Countrywide Farmers last month - and will be heard by planning inspector Matthew Shrigley on August 24.

Ledbury Town Council was expected to debate the plans last night, but has already lodged its objections to the development.

Ledbury Reporter: The proposed location of the developmentThe proposed location of the development

“The development of a new Lidl discount supermarket on the edge of town will have a negative impact on the town centre and conservation area and threaten its viability due to the very significant levels of trade diversion which the proposed Lidl supermarket will produce,” the council said in its representations.

READ MORE: Plans for major Ledbury development rejected by country council

The town council is also objecting to the proposed medical centre, claiming that a new healthcare facility would further reduce town centre footfall and is not deliverable within the timescale of the project.

But not all councillors are against the proposal. Councillor Ewan Sinclair said he is “100% in favour of it”.

'We're desperate for a new surgery'

“There are a lot of homes being built in Ledbury - there’s the massive development at Hawk Rise and 625 to be built near the viaduct - and a purpose-built surgery is something that Ledbury badly needs,” he said.

“And I’m not sure it will have an impact on Ledbury traders - I’ve been speaking to people in town and there’s very few who would be competing directly with a Lidl.”

Ledbury Reporter: Councillors Ewan Sinclair and Tony Bradford are in favour of the plansCouncillors Ewan Sinclair and Tony Bradford are in favour of the plans

Councillor Tony Bradford said: “We’re desperate for a new surgery and the neighbourhood plan states quite clearly that we need one.

“And personally I think we need a discount supermarket - there are people in Ledbury struggling to put food on their table.”

Herefordshire Council’s reasons for rejecting the plans first time around included concerns about the impact the Lidl would have on the town centre, highways concerns and the lack of a section 106 agreement (a way of getting developers to fund community services or infrastructure).