SAINSBURY’S is inviting Bronte Drive residents in Ledbury to a meeting concerning its altered plans for a new superstore on the Galebreaker site at the New Mills industrial estate.

But the move comes as a property expert voiced fears that proposed access arrangements to the site could prove “lethal.”

The supermarket giant has made various changes since the scheme was first announced, including reducing the number of car parking spaces at the site from 340 down to 272 – something which has already prompted concerns of congestion.

It has also re-positioned the proposed store to the lowest land level at the north-east corner of the site in a bid to reduce the noise and visual impact on neighbouring homes.

This week, letters have been sent to around 20 nearby residents detailing the alterations as well as new pedestrian links that would be created.

Sainsbury’s is promising new foot routes connecting the site with the town centre, as well as access to the residential area north of the site and a bus stop on New Mills Way.

But Michael Lever, a commercial property surveyor who lives in Browning Road, one street along from Bronte Drive, believes access to the superstore could be extremely dangerous and has already lodged comments with Herefordshire Council.

He said: “On balance, I support the proposal. However, I have strong reservations concerning the public highway access to the site approached from the south via the industrial estate, including Lower Road/Bridge Street.

“Also, on an industrial estate, the combination of pedestrians, cyclists, private and commercial vehicles, including heavy lorries is a lethal mix on safety grounds.”

Other changes detailed in the letter to residents include the removal of recycling facilities to reduce noise, adding extra trees for landscaping and the scrapping of a firstfloor restaurant for staff.

This will now be at ground level.

Sainsbury’s spokeswoman Joyce Yip said: “We are currently gauging interest for a meeting, on a date still to be decided.”

Sainsbury’s is hoping Herefordshire Council will decide its planning application by the spring. If approved it will also bring a petrol station to the site and create 220 full and part-time jobs.