A NEW Lidl supermarket could be built in Ledbury and residents are being asked their thoughts before planning permission is submitted.

It's proposed the new development scheme, which could include the Lidl store, a medical centre and children's day nursery, be built adjacent to the Old Wharf Industrial Estate, where Leadon Way meets Dymock Road.

The scheme, known as Leadon Vale, is being developed by Midlands-based Deeley Group and the family-owned company wants to engage with the local community through an online public consultation.

The company said its plans include around 200 car parking spaces, with the development offering a range of amenities and employment opportunities.

A public consultation had been due to take place in May, but due to the coronavirus pandemic this could not go ahead.

Eleanor Deeley, deputy managing director of the Deeley Group, said: "The Deeley Group always make a priority of engaging with communities wherever we work to ensure we create a sustainable footprint on the local area.

"Leadon Vale is in a fantastic location to provide support to local people and is within walking and cycling distance of those who live on the south side of the town.

"We would like to hear feedback from residents on the proposed development and ensure it responds to the needs of the community before submitting for planning permission."

Woodlands Nursery will operate the day nursery, should plans be approved by Herefordshire Council, and it would be their third pre-school, with other sites in Hereford and Ross-on-Wye.

Nursery bosses said they will offer at least 23 full and part-time jobs to qualified and apprenticeship staff, while also providing in-house training opportunities for local people who are interested in a career in early years.

Oliver Marshall, director of Woodlands Nursery, said: "We are delighted to be able to take forward these plans for a new purpose-built nursery school at Leadon Vale.

"We have been searching for a site near Ledbury for a number of years, having been told by local people and businesses that they desperately need an early years facility like this in the town.

"Leadon Vale is a really well thought out proposal, and as a local business we are delighted to be involved. We believe it will be a credit to the area."

To find out more about Leadon Vale and to provide feedback on the proposal visit deeley.co.uk/properties/our-developments/leadon-vale