Lidl plans approved despite Tesco challenge

Plans for a new Lidl, medical centre and a nursery have been passed at a second attempt, despite a legal challenge from Tesco.

The discount retailer's bid for the mixed-use scheme in Ledbury, Herefordshire, was unanimously backed by county councillors in September.

But a High Court judge quashed the plans due to procedural irregularities in January, in a case which was brought by rival retailer Tesco.

Despite the temporary setback, Herefordshire Council confirmed in March that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) would not be needed, addressing one of the issues the judge had ruled on.

The authority's planning committee voted by 10 votes to four to pass the application on Wednesday.

The committee was told by Lidl's representative Rhydian Griffiths that the new store would "predominantly compete with other national operators in the town, which are trading very strongly".

When completed, it would "pay industry-leading salaries of £13.45 with zero-hours contracts", he said.

In an earlier submission, Ledbury Health Partnership said since the practice took up its current premises in the middle of the town in 2002, its population had grown from 8,800 to 14,100.

It added most of the population "do not live in the town centre, and would benefit from a less centrally placed facility with car parking".

But planning officer Ollie Jones said as only outline permission was being sought for the medical centre, it was not clear "whether it will function as a general practitioner's surgery, dental practice, or a diagnostic facility".

Ledbury South councillor Stef Simmons added she still had "mixed feelings" on the proposal, which would also provide about 40 jobs at the supermarket.

However, "Ledbury thrives on its independent shops, and they are struggling", she added, and the new store would "pull trade away from the town centre, and from the Co-op [supermarket], which is already under-trading".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.