A housing association’s bid to build 14 affordable homes at a north Herefordshire farmyard has been approved despite widespread local opposition.

The site on the edge of Wyson, by Brimfield just off the A49 between Leominster and Ludlow, is earmarked for six two-bedroom and eight three-bedroom affordable homes, part-funded by government agency Homes England.

A Citizen Housing Group representative told council planners that as a housing association it gives priority to existing social housing tenants and armed forces personnel.

The houses would be for shared ownership, under which owners with household income below £80,000 can buy just a 35% share of the property with the option to buy more later, she said.

Backing the bid, the council’s strategic housing officer Tina Wood said it “will help to deliver much needed affordable housing, not just for Brimfield but also for the wider population”. She confirmed that there would be no requirement for buyers to have a local connection.

The application received 24 objections and two letters of support, and was opposed by the local parish council.

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Local councillor John Stone, who had requested the application be decided by committee due to the level of local opposition, pointed out the plan was outside the Brimfield settlement boundary.

“Affordable housing in our village should be primarily for local people want a first step on the housing ladder,” he said, adding that the likely access issues and extra traffic “have led to great local concern”.

The council’s transportation manager made no objection however, and the planning officer’s report said the proposed housing would “help meet both evidenced local need and dwelling size and tenures identified in the Brimfield neighbourhood development plan”.