HEREFORDSHIRE Council looks to be favouring the most radical of four 'Edgar Street Grid' development plans - with the likelihood of a supermarket at its core.

The supermarket, which is being touted for the cattle market site, is seen as key to the future of the development due to its huge funding potential.

The proposal under discussion today, (Thursday), by cabinet members includes the possibility of a supermarket on the cattle market site, a new road curving up from the railway station to the Courtyard Arts Centre and a downgrading of Blueschool Street, possibly as pedestrian access only.

Although years of consultation lie ahead, a design for the future of the 100-acre site is starting to emerge from the maze of possibilities.

The blueprint includes small civic buildings along Blueschool Street, minimal demolition of housing to build the new link road and a new canal basin to the south of the railway station.

A report to be considered by the council states: "Significant investment is required in order for the city to move forward and fulfil its potential as a sub regional employment and service centre.

"A range of issues need to be addressed including traffic congestion, poor strategic infrastructure, a lack of high quality leisure facilities and the need to strengthen the retail offer of the centre."

Other facilities to be given consideration include a multiplex cinema, Hereford Learning Village and public transport.

All the options open to the council depend on a series of consultation exercises taking in traffic, commercial and planning criteria.

But given the millions of pounds a supermarket on the cattle market site would generate to offset costs of development it is being touted as the most likely option.

A key piece of the Edgar Street development jigsaw fell into place this week when Leominster MP Bill Wiggin added his support to the Hereford Cattle Market Bill going through parliament.

In a statement to the Hereford Times Mr Wiggin said he had never been against moving the cattle market but had opposed a move to Burghill and the Hospital Farm site.

He said: "I have been given assurances that the council officers are reconsidering their list of potential sites in consultation with the Environment Agency and I hope that an announcement will soon be made."

Mr Wiggin supported the bill in its second reading in the House of Commons.