CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a larger Tesco in Ledbury have finally been received by Herefordshire Council.

Planning officers have verified an application to build a class A retail store on the site of Ledbury Welding and Engineering.

The proposed store on Leadon Way will cover 29,000 square feet – roughly treble the size of its current branch – and will offer clothing and homeware alongside a wider range of current products.

The “new modern foodstore”

will also have wider aisles, more checkouts, a range of green features and 291 parking spaces.

Tesco says the move will create 75 jobs and will not harm town centre trade, as feared by many shopkeepers and residents.

The retailer is prepared to relocate Ledbury Welding to a £1.2million factory but admits a specific site has not been found.

They are also “extremely confident” that plans to replace the current store with housing will be accepted, if their move is approved.

The report says that exactly half the 621 people who answered a Market Theatre survey welcomed a more spacious Tesco.

It also says that Tesco contacted a number of councillors in the preapplication stage, a claim sure to raise eyebrows in Ledbury.

The plan continues to divide opinion as many traders feel a larger store will decimate town trade.

But supporters say Ledbury is a growing town and needs a larger store, with many residents travelling elsewhere for shopping.

Carla Preston, council press officer, said the application would be online shortly and could go to committee after September.