New Aldi labelled 'ridiculous' amid town expansion

Plans to add 1,650 new houses as well as a new Aldi supermarket to a Herefordshire town have been labelled "ridiculous".

The twin proposals, which would see the new development branch out to the south west of Leominster, have also received 1,054 objections collectively.

The new supermarket would replace the existing Aldi located near the town centre, which resident Bonnie Wilks labelled "ridiculous", given the branch was "convenient, whether you drive or walk, and also for the disabled and elderly".

The BBC has contacted Aldi, as well as both developers for comment.

Others living in Leominster said they had objected to the plans following a change from an earlier proposed relief road.

Patricia Jones said the development was "not the bypass we were promised years ago", and feared the town would "never get a proper bypass fit for HGVs passing through on their way to Wales".

A meeting to discuss the proposals drew more than 200 residents to the town's sports and social club in late January, where views both opposing and in favour of the project were heard.

This came just before the original end date for public consultation on the two proposals.

However, comments on applications can be submitted right up until they are determined.

Herefordshire Council has now given itself a target date for this of 29 May.

The council's development manager Kelly Gibbons has already said both cases will be "redirected" for final determination by a planning committee of councillors, should the planning officer be minded to approve the schemes.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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