PLANS to open a Tesco in Ross-on-Wye that would create about 250 jobs have been supported by the majority of people from the town, it has been claimed.

About 500 residents met representatives from the supermarket giant last week during a two-day consultation event at the Larruperz Centre.

Tesco said that 61 per cent of attendees said that they were in favour of the proposal, with 26 per cent against and the rest undecided.

The firm wants to build a supermarket off Overross Street as well as a four-pump petrol station and a free 260- space car park.

The plan is to build a 40,000 square foot store on eight acres of brownfield land that will take in the Broadmeadows Industrial Estate and land owned by Herefordshire Council.

If approved, a new access road would be built that would link the store with both Overross Street and the Ashburton Industrial Estate.

This would include a new roundabout to try to reduce traffic at the Fiveways junctions for motorists heading into town along Overross Street and Ledbury Road.

David Crocker, a retired 69- year-old who lives in Westonunder- Penyard, said that the plans are good “in principle” and would create competition for Morrisons.

“I normally have to go to Ledbury to use the nearest Tesco, so I am hoping that when people go to Ross, they will also shop and do other things in the town,” he said.

Richard Oakley agreed, saying the store would tidy up an area that is not particularly used, while Nikki Parry said she supports Tesco’s plans providing the supermarket brings in more jobs and regenerates the town.

However, Ralph Wadge said that the firm should be looking to build a supermarket in another location.

“A development is needed opposite Labels,” he said.

“Tesco is also saying that it would create lots of jobs, but how many are actually fulltime?”

Tesco corporate affairs manager Jonathan Simpson said that he was delighted with the turnout at the consultation.

“It’s great to know that there is a strong majority of local residents who support our plans for a new supermarket,” he said.

“ We will now analyse the feedback received and use it to shape the finer details of our planning application to Herefordshire Council later in the summer.