What we know so far as Lidl plans to demolish Hereford's Three Counties hotel

Here's what we know so far:

The Three Counties Hotel in Hereford's Belmont Road

The Three Counties Hotel, originally the White Eagle Motel, boasted 32 bedrooms when it was built in 1979.

It changed hands in 1981, with 28 bedrooms among the additions made before being sold again in 1995 to the Price family, under whose ownership the restaurant was extended, and a function suite added.

The hotel, which sits on a 3.2 acre site off Belmont Road, next changed hands to current owners, Harry Harrison and family, who are from Oxfordshire, in 2016.

When was the application submitted?

According to the application, prior advice was sought from Herefordshire Council on February 10 on the application, including design and layout, highway improvements requested, retail tests to be met, and the list of required supporting materials.

The formal application was submitted to Herefordshire Council on March 15 with a publicity date of April 6.

What does Lidl want to do with the site?

The German supermarket chain wants to demolish the existing hotel and replace it with a supermarket and a new drive-thru.

What will the new supermarket look like?

Plans have been submitted for a new Lidl supermarket. Picture: HTC Architects/Herefordshire Council

In a design and access statement, HTC Architects said the new Lidl supermarket will include modern insulated metal panels as well as full-height powder-coated aluminium double glazed units and feature entrance for a modern and easy transition between outside and inside space.

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The proposed building layout graduates in its profile from its main elevation to its rear elevations as it grades downwards towards the rear elevation. The glazed side section will face towards Belmont Road.

The proposed development is one storey high with the main frontage facing the road with canopy and a mono pitched roof that reduces towards the eastern boundary.

How many jobs will the plans create?

Lidl's application states the proposed supermarket will employ 40 full-time members of staff.

The hotel, according to the application, currently employs 18 full-time members of staff.

What about access?

Pedestrian access will be via Belmont Road, including a proposed connective pedestrian route from the southern boundary.

The main car park entrance will be on Belmont Road. A cycle stand will be built near the shop entrance, with a clearly designed cycle route (the result of newly proposed upgraded highways and cycle access).

New footpaths will be introduced to provide pedestrian and cycle integration from the main road to the store entrance.

The car park will have spaces for 118 cars.

What will be on offer inside?

The proposed supermarket will feature a large sales area, with its own warehousing, bakery, and customer toilets, including baby change facilities and a disabled toilet.

What have the hotel's owners said?

The Three Counties Hotel's owners refused to comment when contacted by the Hereford Times prior to the publication of the plans. We have approached them for comment again.