Out-of-town Ludlow supermarket decision could be bought forward

Developers behind a planned 25,000sq ft (2,322sq m) store and petrol station at Rocks Green, on the edge of Ludlow, have responded to a call for extra traffic and road safety information within days of being asked by Highways England.

It has removed an extra obstacle to the supermarket. It had been hoped a decision could be made by Shropshire Council by June but now a ruling could be made sooner.

Highways England, the national body which looks after the country's main roads, first put the decision on hold for three months in December while information was gathered on the potential impact on the A49.

Just over a week ago the body requested another three-month hold, as it said the full information had not been supplied by Blackfriars, the developer, in the right format.

But now agents Royal HaskoningDHV, acting on behalf of Blackfriars, has issued a fresh report with the requested extra information.

Vicky Homer, author of the report, said there was no reason for Highway England to find fault with the supermarket plan.

She said expected traffic to and from the supermarket around the junction of the A49, A4117 and Henley Road roundabout had now been modelled up to 2026 as requested.

The modelling showed the roundabout would continue to operate "well within capacity."

She said the roundabout also continued to operate within capacity when a pedestrian crossing to the south was taken into account.

Finally she said there were no other significant building developments planned near the site that might further increase traffic.

She said: "It has been demonstrated within this addendum report that the impacts of the signalised pedestrian crossing, and the additional future year assessment, do not result in a severe negative impact upon the A49 roundabout and, as such, there is no reason to object to the proposals on highways matters."

Objectors say an out-of-town supermarket is unnecessary in Ludlow and will sorely affect town centre trade.

Tish Dockerty, secretary of Ludlow Chamber of Commerce and one of those spear-heading the Love Ludlow campaign against the supermarket plan, said: "We'll wait and see what Highways England say and act accordingly.

"When it does come to Shropshire Council committee we'll form our fight, get together and put our argument in the most appropriate way."

A planning application was first lodged for the Rocks Green supermarket in December 2014.