One of Ludlow’s favourite delis has applied for Listed Building Consent for an awning to cover the seated area (20/05073/LBC). Harp Lane Deli at 4 Church Street has also applied for five tables with chairs and a gazebo. The proposal is in part a response to Covid-19 restrictions. The restriction to two customers in the store at a time has damaged profitability. This is an application that is right in principle but needs further discussion on the details.
It’s expected to be the final decision. After more than six years of wrangling and discussion, plans for a Sainsbury’s supermarket are expected to be approved by the Southern Planning Committee on 22 September. There are still some details to be resolved but there are no fundamental planning reasons for rejecting the scheme. But to me the scheme is not as good as it might be. Bus passengers are treated as second class customers by the developers and planning officers alike. What they long for is cars, cars, cars. This application pays no more than lip service to the climate emergency. A handful of EV charging points. A lower profile to reduce space heating. The application will also urbanise the Rocks Green roundabout and will be a poor gateway for one of the country’s most historic towns. But this development will go ahead and, love it or hate it, and we will have to live with it for decades to come.
Highways England has issued another holding recommendation on granting planning permission for the proposed Sainsbury’s store off the A49 at Rocks Green, Ludlow. The objections from the government highways agency are not major, except for its concern that a barrier proposed is not strong enough to prevent vehicles crashing out of the proposed car park onto the A49. These objections will mean that Blackfriars Property Group will have its work cut out to begin work before the winter as it had hoped. The earliest the application can be considered by the Southern Planning Committee is 22 September. It might not be ready for that meeting if Highways England’s concerns cannot be satisfied. The opening of Sainsbury’s, Argos and a petrol filling station is expected before Christmas 2021. That could be delayed if the committee decision is made after September.
On 24 July, I launched a straw poll on whether Sainsbury’s will be welcome in Ludlow. The poll was busy, with 813 votes being cast. The winning result was 480 votes in favour (59%). A sizeable group, but well short of a majority, thought a Sainsbury’s at Rocks Green would be bad for the town – 296 votes, 36%. A small number aren’t bothered whether Sainsbury’s comes to town or not – 37 votes, 5%. Although this is an informal poll, it reflects what I hear around the town and read on social media. A majority of people are in favour of Sainsbury’s coming to Ludlow. But there remains strong opposition.
The supermarket at Rocks Green has now been confirmed as Sainsbury’s, with a small Argos click and collect style unit. If permission is granted construction is expected to begin towards the end of the year with the retail units opening in the second half of 2021. Although I am not expecting the scheme to be turned by Shropshire councillors, this scheme will split opinion in Ludlow. Many people will welcome an alternative to Tesco and Aldi. Those stores are in the centre of Ludlow, where it can be difficult to park at peak times. They will welcome a store which sells cheap clothes – and this is expected to include school uniforms in season. Others will fear that footfall will be reduced in the town centre, which was already suffering from high car parking charges before the Covid-19 epidemic. What’s your opinion? Vote on my poll below!