LEADERS of a longstanding county business say local firms are relying on plans for a new Lidl supermarket in Ross-on-Wye to get the go-ahead.

The German budget store resubmitted plans to build a shop after it withdrew previous proposals for the Wolf Business Park on Gloucester Road in the autumn.

The revised scheme involves demolishing part of the park and building the store on the 2.2-acre site.

Lidl directors say the scheme would create a combined total of around 100 jobs at the store and through the regeneration of the wider business park.

Nearly two thirds of the site is vacant and owner Andrea Wolf said the only way they will be able to make the site viable again is by selling part of the land to Lidl.

“We’ve exhausted all other options,” she said.

“For over 50 years my family have actively supported the local community and economic diversity of the town by providing jobs and employment opportunities in Ross-on-Wye.”

She said the buildings are no longer fit for purpose and need significant levels of remediation which makes refurbishment an unviable option due to costs.

“With nearly two thirds of the business park now vacant, we have less capital to reinvest and improve the situation, meaning we’re on a slippery slope,” she said.

“The process of securing planning permission to redevelop the site, build a new Lidl store and regenerate the business park, by providing modern business units, has been significantly delayed and fragmented.

“With time ticking away, and in fear that the proposals will be thrown out without a proper public hearing, we are growing increasingly worried that it will not proceed, putting local jobs in jeopardy,

“A few people have raised concerns about Lidl’s effect on existing shops in the town centre, however, the harm to the town’s economic vitality and future growth prospects as a result of a completely vacant business park on the east side of the town should be taken into consideration.

“Notwithstanding the jobs and investment that Lidl would bring with its proposals, the wider regeneration offered has the potential to secure the future of a number of local Ross businesses operating in the town and provide sustainable local jobs.

“We have followed the comments on local social media sites and conclude that the majority welcome the prospect of a new supermarket as the town is growing and the current shopping opportunities will not be sufficient for the growing community.

“We are therefore asking local councillors to consider the implications of further delays to this process, and the detrimental effect that this would have on our business - and on Ross on Wye more broadly - should it not go ahead.

“We are also urging local residents to continue to voice their support for local businesses and for Herefordshire Council to ensure that it has given due consideration to all aspects of the proposals before coming to a decision.”

Herefordshire Council planners are expected to consider the scheme by June 30.