A MAJOR Ludlow retailer has come out against a proposal for a large supermarket at Rocks Green on the edge of town.

The Midland Counties Co-op, which formerly traded as Harry Tuffins, has lodged an objection to the planning application for a supermarket and petrol station on the outskirts of the town.

Richard Holmes Property Consultants, on behalf of the Co-op, say that there is simply not enough business to go around and that the proposed new development would have a serious impact upon the vitality and viability of the town centre.

“There is no requirement for a new supermarket in this location either on a quantitative or qualitative basis as there is insufficient spending capacity to justify a store of this size,” according to the objection on behalf of the Co-op.

“Consequently, if the proposal went ahead it is inevitable that it would draw trade from the town centre to the detriment of its vitality and viability.

“The town currently has a strong mix of independent traders whose trade would be diminished further by a supermarket of the size proposed. This would harm the character of the town and potentially affect its attraction as a centre for tourism.”

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne has also lodged an objection citing his concerns about the impact upon the town.

“Ludlow is already well served with three multiple food supermarkets; three convenience stores located in the town centre; and two serving residential and business areas,” says Mr Dunne’s submission.

“In addition Ludlow is well know as a destination for quality food, with a much wider variety of independent food shops than any other town of its size.

“These include three butchers, three bakers, two green grocers, two organic food specialists, one fish monger, one cheese shop, four delicatessens, two wine shops, one chocolatier, in addition to one of the largest farm shops in the Midlands, one mile to the north and a very attractive produce market in the town centre several days a week.”

Blackfriars Developments Limited, which is behind the application, say that the proposed supermarket would create jobs for the town and surrounding area as well as increasing choice.

They believe that it would meet a need for family shopping and remove the need for people to travel long distances to towns like Hereford, Kidderminster, Leominster or Shrewsbury.

Planning guidelines provide for a presumption in favour of development unless it can be demonstrated that ‘adverse impact would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies in the framework taken as a whole.’