THE next round of the battle over the future of Foldgate Lane on the south-east side of Ludlow is likely to be on December 8.

That is the date pencilled in for South Shropshire District Council's planning committee to decide whether to allow the third application for outline planning permission to develop the site on the edge of the A49.

In the past nine months, the council has turned down two applications from Bennett Developments. Foldgate Mark III is the slimmest version yet, covering less than a third of the 6.6 acre site.

Bennett wants to put up a 4,000 sq ft filling station, including a convenience store, plus a restaurant, a service yard and parking space.

There have been a dozen objections.

So far there have been no letters in favour.

The Mark I proposal for a £10 million development with a 40,000 sq ft red shed earmarked for B&Q has not gone away.

The council turned it down last spring but Bennett's appeal will be heard at a public inquiry beginning on March 22.