A LEGAL challenge has been launched to try to prevent the Three Counties Hotel in Hereford being demolished to make way for a new Lidl supermarket, but who is behind the campaign?

A group of concerned local residents, calling themselves the Save the Three Counties Action Group, have said that they wish to remain nameless. 

They have begun a legal bid to try to get the council to "strike out" its own planning permission and have set up a crowd funding page to raise money for their legal costs.

Lidl's plan to demolish the hotel and build a new supermarket was approved after lengthy debate by Herefordshire Council's planning committee of councillors a month ago, and not unanimously.

The anonymous campaign group says it needs to raise a total of £55,000 for its legal challenge by law firm Leigh Day.

The group will try to get a High Court judge to quash the planning permission through a judicial review, which tests whether a public authority has followed its own rules.

They claim the council's planning officers, who were recommending approval of Lidl's plan, wrongly advised the committee on whether the hotel had "community value".

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The group said: "We are a group of concerned Herefordshire residents of all ages and backgrounds worried about the impact that another supermarket with 2,000 odd vehicle movements a day will have on the already congested south-side and Belmont.

"If the Three Counties means anything to you please donate what you can, and urgently, to make a difference and try and stop the looming and cynical demolition.

"If this demolition is allowed to happen, we will lose an iconic building, a hotel with iconic architecture, a public bar that has been enjoyed by many, and a venue that is unparalleled throughout the county. 

"Let's not let this go without a fight. Chip in what you can. You can donate anonymously or publicly. Be on the right side of history and if you feel strongly about this landmark facility, pledge what you can now before it's too late."

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that we have received a legal challenge to this decision and are considering our response."