OBJECTORS to a proposal to built an out of town supermarket on the edge of Ludlow are being backed by Philip Dunne MP.

The MP, who has met with local residents and traders, believes that if it is built the supermarket and petrol station proposed at Rocks Green will damage the character of the town.

He has set out his opposition to the scheme in response to concerns from local residents including Ludlow Town Centre Residents’ Association.

“I have been in touch with the proposers of this development since I was unable to attend the public exhibition held in July,” said Philip Dunne.

“It is clear that this speculative application is opportunistic and lacks detailed evidence to support customer demand for another supermarket.

"Ludlow already has three supermarkets in town plus three convenience stores as well as a wide range of excellent independent food shops in the town centre. I fear many of these would be at risk from a large out of town supermarket.

“Ludlow is almost unique as a market town with a thriving local produce market co-existing with renowned food shops.

"You only have to look down the A49 at the impact a large edge of town supermarket had on the edge of Leominster to see what might happen here.

"I am determined to support local residents and town traders in resisting this unnecessary, unwanted, white elephant.”

The developer Blackfriars Development has said that the supermarket and petrol station would create more than 200 new jobs and boost the local economy by enabling people to do a major shop in the Ludlow area instead of having to travel to other centres like Shrewsbury, Hereford, Leominster or Kidderminster.