BRITAIN’S biggest retailer has narrowly lost a vote in the battle to build a new store in Ledbury.

Tesco’s plans for a Belmont-sized store on Leadon Way have been officially opposed by Ledbury Town Council.

Councillors voted last Thursday by five votes to three to recommend refusal for a new store next to Homebase.

A further six abstained to councillor Clive Jupp’s proposal while councillor Martin Eager refused to take part.

Surprisingly, no residents or members of Ledbury Opposes out of Town Superstores (LOTS) attended the Market House meeting.

LOTS spokesperson Rich Hadley said members kept away because they didn’t want councillors to feel pressured.

“We’ve said enough and felt it was entirely right that councillors could have a proper open debate,” said Mr Hadley.

Meanwhile, an independent report has questioned Tesco’s claims that a new store – opposite land earmarked by Sainsbury’s – would not harm town centre trade.

A retail impact assessment by Dalton Warner Davis says the town centre would “lose more than it would gain” if Tesco was allowed to build on the Ledbury Welding site.

The report, commissioned and funded by LOTS, says a larger store on the edge of town could have serious consequences on a vulnerable town centre and the Co-op’s viability.

Ledbury Town’s Council’s vote does not mean the end of the road for Tesco.

Herefordshire Council’s planning committee has the all important say when it meets at a date yet to be agreed.