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Part of a large livestock auction centre on the edge of a Herefordshire town is to become the local warehouse and sales outlet of a farming supplies firm.

RG & RB Auctioneers of OverRoss industrial estate, off the A40/A449 to the north of Ross-on-Wye, is seeking planning permission (number 242595) to turn part of its premises into the local base of Wynnstay.

The firm “has outgrown their existing store in Ross-on-Wye and require a larger unit which will present an opportunity to expand the business further and boost the local economy”, a statement with application says.

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Its new base would have an internal area of 627 square metres and would mean the loss of “a small area” of livestock pens – but the existing auction centre “have plenty of space to cater for this”.

It would also include an office and small canteen, and an outdoor storage area.

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With existing parking and road access, the “convenient” location will provide “synergy” between Wynnstay, the auction centre and farmers, and “will enable an already successful business to relocate and further expand its operations locally”, the application says.

Five members of staff will transfer across from its current base, on the Alton Road Industrial Estate to the south of Ross-on-Wye.

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The new premises “will ultimately lead to increased job opportunities in the future due to bigger footfall”, the application adds.

The Powys-headquartered firm has over 50 branches in Wales, the Marches and elsewhere. It turned over nearly £330 million in the six months to the end of April, down 20 per cent on the same period a year before.

Comments on the planning application can be made until November 26.