PLANS have been submitted to Herefordshire Council for a major retail development in Ross-on-Wye.

It has been proposed that the site of the former BP garage at Ross Labels be converted into three warehousing units which would be occupied by Halfords, Pets@Home and Carpetright. Each unit would be 480 square foot, constructed with a combination of brickwork, wood cladding and a glass entrance.

The filling station was acquired by the applicants - Ross Labels - in 2004, but due to its poor visibility from the road, it was not successful and closed down. The site has now been cleared and the applicants have requested a condition only allowing certain goods to be sold at the site.

This would include electrical goods, carpets and other floor coverings, DIY and garden goods, tiles, furniture, bicycles, car parts and accessories, and pets and pets goods.

The site’s main access is from the A449 but it is hoped that bus and pedestrian routes from the site to Ross-on-Wye would be improved.

Ross Labels, which employs around 80 people, added that Ross has not benefitted from much retail development and the town’s growing population is currently forced to go to Hereford to purchase goods of this nature.