A planned community hub for a Herefordshire village has been given the go-ahead.

Professor Peter Lutzeier of Much Marcle Community Shop Ltd applied a year ago for planning permission for an “urgently needed” new shop, post office and café on farmland within the village, between Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye.

Opposite the Walwyn Arms pub near the A449 / Dymock Road junction, the timber-clad 170-square-metre building was to be raised 30cm off the ground to reduce the risk of flooding.

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A previous village shop and post office on the other side of the crossroads closed in 2019 when the owner retired.

The plan for its replacement has been funded by a share issue priced at £10 a share, which aimed to raise up to £150,000.

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Nearly 50 letters from members of the public supported the planning bid, which the parish council also backed.

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Ledbury Area Cycle Forum said the community shop would reduce car dependency, welcomed the provision of cycle parking including recharging for e-bikes, and noted that the Ledbury Cider Cycling Route passes through the village.

A revised design for the building was submitted to address concerns raised by the council’s building conservation consultant Nick Joyce over its design, scale and form within the village’s conservation area.

Planning officer Joshua Evans said the proposal would “help to ensure the vitality and viability of the settlement, and provide an essential facility currently missing from the village”.

Full planning permission for the scheme was granted.