Plans for 250-home estate recommended for approval

A developer is planning to build 250 homes in Bromyard, Herefordshire

Long-running plans to build 250 homes in Herefordshire have been recommended for approval.

The development on the Hardwick Bank site in Bromyard was first proposed by Bovis Homes seven years ago.

The original plan was to build 500 homes but the application had since been revised, with the number of homes halved.

Of the planned remaining houses, half would be affordable and the development would include public open space, play areas and room for St Peter’s Primary School to expand.

But concerns have been raised, including about the proposed blocks of single-bedroom flats, which Herefordshire Council’s housing team claimed could attract anti-social behaviour.

The authority’s highways officer Katy Jones also raised fears over access from the proposed estate to Queen Elizabeth High School across the A44.

She described the application as “only just about acceptable”.

Despite the concerns, the council’s planning office recommended the scheme for approval.

Their report said the development would “give rise to both social and economic benefits”.

A decision on the planning application will be made by Herefordshire Council’s planning committee on 17 January.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.