LEDBURY people are celebrating this week after planning permission was given for an Aldi supermarket on the New Mills industrial estate.

Social media lit up as news of the vote from Herefordshire Council's planning committee came through, with residents posting that it was "amazing", "great news" and a "brilliant result".

The recommendation to approve was seconded by Cllr Emma Holton, the ward councillor for Ledbury South, who said the vote was "a great result for Ledbury".

Her late father, Cllr Peter Watts, spoke in favour of a Sainsbury's application for Ledbury, four years ago.

The Sainsbury application was refused; but Cllr Holton believes that this week's vote finally gives the town the extra supermarket it needs.

She said: "I think that we could have had a supermarket four years ago. It's something we have needed for a long time.There is a new Core Strategy, which will bring in more houses, and these services will be needed."

She does not believe that there will be a detrimental affect on High Street shops.

Cllr Holton said: "Like many locals, I will continue to use all local supermarkets and retail shops in Ledbury, as well as Aldi."

Cllr Holton added that it was a "win-win situation" that Aldi will provide £120,000 - planning windfall money, under a so-called section 106 agreement - to improve St Katherine's car park and the landscaping around the historic Master's House.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker said of the vote for an Aldi supermarket: "It is fantastic news and will be a huge help to those who have to travel out of town to do their shopping, meaning that more money will stay in Ledbury, with shoppers, in turn picking up extras in our town centre."

Cllr Martin Eager, owner of the Homend Shopping Mall and chairman of the town's environment and leisure committee, said the decision to approve the Aldi application was "good news".

He added: "It's what everyone wants. I think it's excellent."

Ledbury Town Council voted in support of the application, back in April, but the final decision lay with Herefordshire Council.

The recommendation to approve at this week's meeting was passed by eleven votes to four, at Shire Hall on Wednesday (September 14).

Aldi has expressed gratitude for local support.

An Aldi spokesman said: “Following the significant level of support received from local residents, we are delighted that members of the planning committee have recognised the many local benefits that a new store would bring and have decided to give the scheme their approval.

“We are committed to improving the shopping choice of residents in Ledbury and delivering all the benefits associated with an Aldi store, including employment opportunities."

Not date has yet been given for the opening of the new supermarket, but the Aldi spokesman added: "We look forward to concluding all necessary agreements with the council before starting construction as soon as possible.”

The food store will offer a floor space of 1794 sq metres.

It will also offer 109 associated car parking spaces and a minimum 10 external cycle parking spaces.

The store will create at least 35 new jobs.