ALMOST 30 homes will be added to a Herefordshire village despite fears over the site being a flood risk.

Russell Pryce was granted permission to build 27 homes near Patrick Orchard in Canon Pyon having been praised for a "well thought out application".

Unanimous approval was given during a meeting of Herefordshire Council's Planning Committee this morning.

The village's parish council said it didn't object to the plans "in principal" although the council chairman Geoffrey Vaughan said approval would see a 70 per cent increase in Canon Pyon's housing stock since last year.

Objector Chris Nugent said the planned site has experienced two recent floods, one of which saw the nearby road cut off.

But this was refuted by Mr Pryce who said there is no evidence the road has ever been impassable.

"The houses, roads and gardens are not at a risk of flooding,"he said.

"The density of houses is very low and allows us to provide an area of public open space."

He said he has reduced the number of planned homes from 35 to 27.

Local member Cllr Adrian Blackshaw said he has lived in the area for 12 years and can't remember the road being impassable.

The application was also praised by Cllr Chris Chappell, although he raised concern about the number of "boy racers" travelling through the village.

The homes, of which nine would be affordable, include bungalows, semi-detached and detached properties.

Cllr Felicity Norman praised the applicant for the well thought out application.