Replacement village shop/café planned for Much Marcle

Plans have been revealed for a new shop, post office and café for a Herefordshire village.

Professor Peter Lutzeier of Much Marcle Community Shop Ltd, a registered  community benefit society, has applied for planning permission for the scheme, in a field by the A449 / B4215 Dymock Road crossroads in the village.

“Since our village shop closed just before the pandemic we have been working to develop a solution which not only replaces what we have lost but provides improved and sustainable services for the village of Much Marcle and the wider rural areas,” his application says.

“We urgently need a community shop, post office and cafe in operation as soon as possible.”

The project was first backed by the parish council four years ago, since when there has been consultation on it with the county council and local community.

A survey found widespread support for the proposed location by the crossroads.

Herefordshire Council initially found the proposal “generally acceptable” but pointed out that it would be in the village’s conservation area next to the grade II listed Greenway Cottage, so requiring a heritage impact assessment.

With an “archetypal rural form”, the timber-clad 170-square-metre building would have several sustainability features including high insulation, roof-mounted solar panels, an air-source heat pump and rainwater harvesting.

The shop would “focus as much as possible on locally grown and produced food and supplies”, Prof Lutzeier’s application says. The café would meanwhile be available for meetings and groups.

Funds for the project were raised by a share issue locally, with each share costing £10, which led to over 200 shareholders signing up.

While the spot has not been affected by recent floods in the village, the new building would still be raised 30cm above ground given the “increasing risks” of this, the application adds.

There would be parking spaces for six cars and four bikes, which was lacking at the nearby former village shop, closed since 2019.

Comments on the planning application, numbered 233010, can be made until November 30.