Proposed Ludlow supermarket will be moved 'to avoid gas pipe'

Planning permission for a new M&S Food store on pasture land near Sheet Road in Ludlow was awarded in January 2024. It was the second time plans for a supermarket on the site had been brought forward, after the withdrawal of an earlier scheme due to design concerns.

According to documents submitted with the approved application, the supermarket said the development would create 70 new jobs in the town and "unlock" the area for businesses.

But the area remained largely dormant despite the approval of the application until late 2024, when initial preparation and survey work appeared to be taking place on the site.

Now, the store is set to move several metres to the northeast to avoid a large gas pipe after a mix-up with the original plans. 

An application to amend the original plans by Avenbury Properties requested permission to move the building to avoid the gas pipe, with an "associated re-configuration of car parking" to account for the changes.

"The actual position of a gas main/easement to the west of the site was found to be in a different location than the information initially received," said the application.

"The car park circulation to the east of the building is improved by negating the central aisle. Provision has been made for one of the EV parking spaces to be accessible. The service yard continues to have the required area for loading and manouvering."

Shropshire Council planning officers concluded that the changes amounted to a minor, or "non-material" amendment to the original plans - and that a fresh planning application was not required.

"The revised scheme does not change the quantum of development proposed, including car parking provision, or alter the ability of the associated infrastructure to serve the unit," said the decision notice from the council.

"That being the case, it is concluded that the proposed changes would not be material, either individually or cumulatively, and can therefore be accepted under the non-material amendment procedures."

The application was granted on Friday, March 14 under reference 25/00682/AMP.