PLANS are afoot to demolish the former Countrywide Farmers store in Ledbury.

Frozen fruit and vegetables suppliers Newberry International Produce want to move onto the Hazel Park site off Dymock Road.

Company representatives have submitted proposals to Herefordshire Council for permission to demolish the old store and build a production factory.

Architects working on the scheme say the proposed building will be larger and have 51,935 sq ft of retail space — the old store's floor space is 20,300 sq ft.

“The proposed is of a similar scale and mass to the existing building facing the Dymock Road which due to its location is more visually dominant,”

“We therefore consider the new build element to be acceptable in terms of scale and mass when considered against those buildings within close proximity.”

The site currently has 150 car parking spaces and six spaces for heavy goods vehicles.

Newberry want to reorganise the existing forecourt which will lead to 106 car parking spaces, three for motorcycles, six for bicycles and six lorry spaces, if planners approve the scheme.

Architects say new materials will match the existing built form to ensure that the new building will blend in.

Residents have until February 20, to comment on the plans and can do so on the council’s planning portal website.

The council is expected to consider the scheme by April 23.