SUPERMARKET giant Aldi has announced plans for a new store on Ledbury's New Mills Industrial Estate.

Aldi, who say the new store would create "up to 40 full and part time jobs", would like the public to comment on the proposal.

It would not be a superstore. According to new information from Aldi, it would be approximately three times smaller that the store proposed by Sainsburys, four years ago.

The Sainsbury application was refused by Herefordshire Council in February 2012; but before this happened the issue badly divided opinion in the town.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Annette Crowe said of the news from Aldi: "This has come out of the blue, and I will look with interest at the proposals. I can't pre-judge."

She added: "I have nothing against Aldi at all, and I know an awful lot of people do their shopping with them."

In June 2015 Aldi won the Which? Best Supermarket award. This was the fourth time Aldi has won the award, since 2009.

But if planning permission is gained, it would bring the number of supermarkets in Ledbury to four, because the town of 10,000 residents already has the Co-op, Tesco's and Spar.

Letters giving details on the Aldi supermarket proposals, and a feedback card, are in the process of being delivered through 4000 local letterboxes.

And Aldi has organised a public exhibition of its plans, to take place on October 23, between, 3pm and 7pm at the Burgage Hall, Church Lane.

A planning application is yet to be submitted to Herefordshire Council.

But an Aldi spokesman said: “We are excited about the prospect of delivering a new Aldi store to Ledbury which would offer the local community additional choice.

“We are keen to ensure that the views of the local community are heard, and we look forward to welcoming people to our public exhibition."

The spokesman added: "The opportunity to redevelop this site, which is currently a vacant parcel of scrubland adjacent to the existing Galebreaker Group factory, will bring enhanced benefits to the whole community by providing a brand new, custom built store designed to complement existing offerings and provide more choice for local residents.

"The scheme will also facilitate the expansion of the Galebreaker factory, which is adjacent to the proposed site of the Aldi store."

The Sainsbury's superstore, because of its size, would have actually required the relocation of Galebreaker to another site, off the Bromyard Road.

The Aldi spokesman did not believe that the new store would have a detrimental impact on trade in Ledbury High Street.

He said: "Aldi has a unique offering and does not act as a one-stop shop. Aldi does not have a butcher or fishmonger, nor does it sell, for example, tobacco.

"The proposed store would offer a complementary facility to the existing pattern of trading in Ledbury, adding to the vitality and viability of the High Street."

The supermarket giant has set up a Freephone information line on 0800 298 7040, for anyone seeking further information.