MP Bill Wiggin has written to Ledbury Town Council urging it to carry out an independent economic impact assessment on the proposed Tesco hypermarket proposal.

Writing to the council on the 27th June Mr Wiggin states: "I believe that this proposal could have potentially serious implications for shops and businesses on Ledbury High Street and I have received a great deal of correspondence on this matter from my constituents. All of them have expressed their opposition to a Tesco superstore."

Mr Wiggin goes on to say that such an assessment would provide 'hard evidence' that would be considered.

At last week's council meeting it was decided that the following statement would be added to the Ledbury Town Plan: “The town council will recommend refusal for all major retail development outside the recognised town centre unless a town referendum supports the proposal.”

As the Tesco proposal at Ledbury Welding & Engineering is outside the town centre, this council statement appears to back the idea of a referendum.

However, as the Ledbury Portal editor told councilor Ridler on the 21st June in a Ledbury Portal comment thread, planning applications are not decided by the will of the people - they are decided by planning law. Councilor Ridler was urged that Ledbury Town Council should take a proactive stance and look at the impact this proposal will have on the town.