Ludlow farm buildings 'hitch' for out-of-town supermarket

A fresh heritage assessment will be needed to consider the fate of the Dun Cow Farm buildings on the site of a proposed 25,000sq ft (2,322 sq m) store at Rocks Green on the edge of Ludlow before any development can take place.

It had previously been assumed the buildings would just be knocked down.

The problem has been highlighted in a letter from Rachael Parry, senior conservation officer for Shropshire Council, who has cast doubt on whether the historical farmstead at the site should be demolished, stating that they make a "positive contribution to the traditional and rural character and visual appearance of this area".

She concludes with the recommendation that "no decision is made on this application until a heritage assessment is completed."

Blackfriars Developments first proposed the supermarket off the A49 Ludlow bypass in June last year, and lodged a formal planning application in January.

The firm has not yet finalised a deal with any supermarket to take the site on once built but says it should create 210 jobs – the equivalent of 140 full-time positions – and add £3 million a year to Ludlow's economy.

But the store, which will be the town's biggest and include parking for 225 cars, plus a filling station, has proved divisive.

Dan Lloyd, chairman of Ludlow Civic Society, which presented Ms Parry with a heritage award upon her leaving Shropshire Council at the end of last week, said: "I think she is correct, and it's not surprising.

"There are a lot of issues with the visual impact, as well as the increase in traffic at the site. With her leaving I think she's really saying that this issue and that issue needs to be looked at before this application is even processed, let alone passed."

No-one from Blackfriars was available to comment.