A PLEA has been issued for Shropshire Council to urgently provide more business sites in Ludlow to help local firms expand.

The latest calls come after the authority ruled out the possibility of the vacant biodigester in Coder Road being re-purposed, in case it is needed to process waste again as a result of impending law changes.

The council has also revealed that talks with the owner of the town’s only site currently allocated as new employment land had so far been unsuccessful.

Hydraulic equipment supplier Flowfit has until recently been in discussion with the council over the biodigester site, and company bosses have previously said they may have to expand elsewhere if a deal could not be reached.

Councillor Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow North, said he was concerned that the lack of available sites in the town was now hindering business growth and job creation.

In a question to the council’s cabinet, he said it was disappointing that nine months of discussions with Flowfit had resulted in the company being told the site was not available.

“The company is now looking at sites in mid Wales where there is more support from local government for business expansion,” said Councillor Boddington.

“At least one other light industrial company in Ludlow is looking for local premises in which to expand within months.

“Council officers have told companies that employment land is in demand in south Shropshire. There is certainly demand in Ludlow. There will be more demand in the next few years.

“Ludlow and the adjacent parish of Ludford have approval for around 750 homes, many of which are under construction.

“We have a shortage of semi and high skilled jobs in the engineering sector, a sector that supports hundreds of jobs locally.” He wants to know what is planned for the digester site.