PLANS for 10 new homes in a village near Hereford have been given the go-ahead despite concerns over the impact the development will have on newts.

The proposals to develop land next to Town House in Madley include a mixture of five, four, three and two bed houses.

Ward councillor David Hitchiner told today’s (January 18) Herefordshire Council planning and regulatory committee that it was a first-class application and had the support of the parish council.

However, several councillors raised concerns over the impact the proposals would have on great crested newts in the field and the site’s location which would be outside of the emerging local plan’s village boundary.

Council ecologists found 11 newts in a pond on the site and consultants working on the scheme say the applicant will be applying to capture and relocate the amphibians from the site.

But councillor William Wilding said the proposals did not take any account of the council’s climate and ecological emergency declaration.

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“I note in the ecologist’s report that he has confirmed that amphibians will be able to cross the existing concrete track,” he said.

“I was having trouble keeping a straight face while reading that report because it just seemed like a lot of nonsense.

“It’s just another example of humans thinking they know better than nature, better than evolution.

“Even if the newts are conserved, is this plan likely to enhance biodiversity net gain?

“I can’t see that it’s going to.”

Councillor Sebastian Bowen also said proper due weight should be given to the neighbourhood development plan.

“You cannot keep trashing them,” he said.

“The development is either in the neighbourhood development settlement boundary or it is not.”

The planning committee approved the scheme with nine votes in favour and five against.