Published 20/08/2026 By William Turtle-Clark

Tesco has launched a fresh legal challenge to block plans for a new Lidl supermarket, nursery, and medical centre on the outskirts of Ledbury.

The proposed development, situated near the roundabout connecting Leadon Way, the A449 Ross Road, and the B4216 Dymock Road, received unanimous approval from Herefordshire Council planners last September.

However, Tesco, which operates a large store in the town, successfully overturned that decision in January through a judicial review.

Judge Emma Kelly quashed the original permission and ordered Herefordshire Council to pay Tesco’s legal costs due to procedural flaws in how the application was handled.

Despite the ruling, Herefordshire Council’s planning committee re-approved the mixed-use scheme at a second meeting in April, albeit by a narrower margin.

Local ward member Councillor Stef Simmons confirmed in a report to Ledbury Town Council that Tesco has now brought a second judicial review against the latest approval, citing "planning technicalities". Cllr Simmons, who leads the council's Green group, expressed frustration at the move, describing the ongoing delay as "deeply frustrating" and stating that it "goes against the democratic will of the planning committee that has now twice approved the plans." She noted that while she holds mixed feelings about the site, the project would deliver vital jobs and services to an expanding area of Ledbury.

The High Court is expected to determine within six weeks whether Tesco’s challenge has sufficient grounds to proceed. Cllr Simmons confirmed that Herefordshire Council plans to "vigorously contest" the proceedings.

A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council confirmed that a third party had lodged a judicial review against the April decision and that works on site remain halted. The authority declined to comment further while legal proceedings remain active. Tesco declined to comment on the record.