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PLANS for the new Aldi supermarket in Ludlow look likely to be given the go-ahead when the scheme came under the spotlight as the Advertiser went to press yesterday (Wednesday).

The application set for the Lloyd's site opposite Tesco was being recommended for approval during discussions at South Shropshire District Council's development control committee.

Officers say the application is in line with a need for an additional food retailer, would be the best possible use for the site and would provide a useful car park to attract shoppers to the town.

The scheme would tidy up an unattractive site, presently occupied by a coal merchant, but it was recommended that a number of conditions be attached to a yes' decision. These included safe access for traffic into Station Road, landscaping and for the site to be investigated for any past contamination.

The report states: "Ludlow town centre itself contains few major retailers and is dominated by independent traders which gives the town its appeal. It contains only two of the country's top 20 multiples, Boots and Woolworths. There are several other multiples situated around the town including Tesco, Somerfield and Threshers."

It concludes: "A recent report commissioned by the district council showed that Ludlow town, as a retail centre, was in good economic health and was exhibiting no serious signs of decline."

Councillors were being asked to consider the proposal against that retail background.

But Chamber of Trade chairman Peter Cook warned: "Ludlow does not need another supermarket. Small businesses in the town are having a difficult time already without added competition from another multi-national store."

He added: "This development will further erode the traditional town centre around Castle Square and the 15 jobs that it creates will be far outweighed by the jobs lost in other businesses."

In a later statement, the Chamber said: "The way forward is for buying local products and supporting sustainable small-scale farming rather than shipping in goods from the continent."

Other objectors say that Tesco already had the lion's share of shopping trade in Ludlow also that another large glass-fronted design would be out of keeping with surrounding architecture. But balanced against that are several letters of support.

12:34pm Friday 2nd May 2008

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