Hereford'S £55million Asda superstore development moved a step closer when city planners gave their support to the scheme on Monday.

Despite officers recommending refusal, 17 out of the 19 councillors who voted gave their approval.

But before a brick is laid, the matter will be referred directly to the Government Office of the West Midlands for consideration. After receiving the application, they will have 21 days to decide whether to hold a public inquiry.

In a packed debating chamber, members listed a host of reasons why the multimillion-pound food store should be built on the derelict Causeway Farm site at the southern gateway to Hereford city centre.

With Asda/Eign Enterprises promising to spend a total of £3.75 million on flood defences, about £2million on improving Belmont roundabout and £3.5million on community facilities, the vast majority of councillors felt the application was vital for the economy of the city.

Councillor Ursula Attfield said: "In 50 years I cannot recall anyone coming forward to develop the area."

"To refuse this would leave us with the traffic problem, flood concerns and an empty unused derelict site on our doorstep."

Councillor Stuart Thomas picked up on the traffic issue and explained how the superstore would help solve congestion.

"We have used up the benefits of the new bridge and we all know the problems people in the south of the city face when crossing the river," he said.

"The proposed changes, which will be funded by the applicants, will allow 40% to 50% more traffic to move through the roundabout."

Another hotly debated issue centred on the Environment Agency's calls for the application to be rejected because the store would lie in a flood risk area.

Ransom

Councillor Bob Preece, who has lived in the area all his life, said: "I have never known the place to flood, it may have been a bit boggy at times, but it has never been serious."

Councillor Anna Toon was more vocal in her criticism of the Agency: "The county is being held to ransom by these people," she said.

"We are not getting any funding for a flood defence scheme, so this is a great chance for us to make a statement and say pull your finger out."

Countering area planning officer Steve MacPhearson's suggestions that the retail need for a shop of such size did not exist, councillor Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes said: "There are currently six superstores serving around 38,000 people in the north of the city and one serving nearly 22,000 people in the south."

Humour was not lost at the meeting as Councillor John Newman made a mockery of the planners recommendation to refuse permission to demolish the dilapidated Greyhound Dog pub.

"The Greyhound Dog is so bad that the rats have moved out," he joked. "Some people say that if we knock it down, it would leave an empty space, but surely nothing is better than that old pub."

The only councillor to speak against Asda was Bob Matthews who listed a number of grievances found in the planners' report.

"I share grave concerns over traffic, regarding the access road," he said. "And although 450 jobs will be created, many others will find themselves out of work because of this new store."

However, Mr Matthews was alone with his views and chamber of commerce area manager for Herefordshire William Lyons said if the application was refused other investors would simply ignore the county.

He said: "Earlier this year, in the Hereford Times, I said the county was hovering at a crucial threshold in its commercial and industrial development, but if we refuse Asda and Eign Enterprises, maybe it would be better to say our economy is teetering on the edge."

How they voted:

In favour: Polly Andrews, Three Elms, Liberal Democrat; Ursula Attfield, St Martins and Hinton, Labour; Mary Bew, St Nicholas, Liberal Democrat; Chris Chappell, St Martins and Hinton, Labour; Sylvia Daniels, Three Elms, Liberal Democrat; Phil Edwards, Belmont, Independent; Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes, Tupsley, Liberal Democrat, Charles Mayson, Wormsley Ridge, Independent; John Newman, Belmont, Liberal Democrat; Josie Pemberton, Backbury, Conservative; Glenda Powell, Belmont, Independent; Bob Preece, St Martins and Hinton, Labour; Sally Robertson, Burghill, Holmer and Lyde, Independent; Stuart Thomas, Hollington, Liberal Democrat; Anna Toon, Three Elms, Liberal Democrat; Brian Wilcox, Aylestone, Conservative; Alan Williams, Aylestone, Liberal Democrat.

AGAINST: Bob Matthews, Credenhill, Independent and John Guthrie, Sutton Walls, Conservative.

NOT THERE: Mike Wilson, Hagley, Independent; George Hyde, Tupsley, Independent, and Bill Walling, Tupsley, Liberal Democrat, were all absent.

Rivals united in relief at success

IT is not everyday Paul Keetch and Virginia Taylor agree, but the Asda plan brought the political rivals together.

Both spoke of their relief after councillors voted for the £55 million superstore to get the go-ahead on Monday.

Hereford's Liberal Democrat MP Paul Keetch said: "There are always differences of opinion on planning issues of this scale, but I believe this development and the investment that it will put into Hereford will be hugely beneficial to the city."

And the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Hereford, Virginia Taylor, was equally enthusiastic.

"At last Hereford is moving into the 21st century," she said. "At last the eyesore of the Greyhound Dog will be removed after 27 years as a semi-derelict site and people south of the Wye will have more choice for their shopping."

"There remain some hurdles to overcome, not least with the Environmental Agency, but some good ideas were put forward by councillors and where there's a will there's a way."

Anthony Davies, managing director of Eign Enterprises, was naturally overjoyed and hopes no other obstacles arise: "My faith in the democratic process has been vindicated. I am confident the overwhelming support demonstrated by members and the public will be a significant factor in persuading the secretary of state to approve the decision."

Simon Hoare from Asda said: "Monday's meeting brought lots of good news and I was especially pleased all political parties realised something needs to be done in south Wye for south Wye. I hope the weight of local and public support for the development will mean the plans are passed by the relevant government departments dealing with the application."