A PLANNED community hub for a Much Marcle has been given the go-ahead.

A year ago Professor Peter Lutzeier of Much Marcle Community Shop Ltd applied for planning permission for an ‘urgently needed’ new shop, post office and café on farmland within the village.

The proposed timber-clad 170-square-metre building was to be raised 30cm off the ground to reduce the risk of flooding. 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.

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

It was 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.