IT is claimed that the people of Ludlow are heavily opposed to the building of an out-of-town supermarket.

Philip Dunne, the MP for Ludlow, says he has undertaken a survey that shows for every person in favour of such a development almost two are opposed.

The survey has revealed local residents are worried about the effect a large edge of town supermarket would have on town centre traders.

There were 1,243 Ludlow residents who responded to the survey, which covered issues including broadband, mobile signal, speeding, housing, council tax and national policies on the economy and the EU.

“I was particularly interested to gather the views of local residents on the potential proposed supermarket development on the edge of town,” said the MP.

“There is clear opinion on this issue: Ludlow residents are to two to one opposed, with 59% of residents believing a large superstore would adversely affect traders in town, compared to 31% who believe it would have no effect.

“57% of respondents said Ludlow should not be developed beyond the A49, compared to 24% who think it should.

“Ludlow is a beautiful traditional market town, and these results show local residents want it to stay that way. I will be contacting Shropshire Council to ask them to take into account these responses in any future decision on a proposed edge of town supermarket development.”

Ludlow Chamber of Commerce has also come out against a possible supermarket development at Rocks Green.