NINETEEN new homes could be built in a village near Leominster, if council planners allow the scheme to go ahead.

Geoffrey and Suzanna Smith have asked Herefordshire Council if they can build the 19 new homes, seven of which would be affordable, on land at Townsend Farm, East Street, in Pembridge.

On the farm there is also touring and camping facilities, earth-sheltered lodges and glamping pods, farm shop and butchery and fishing lake.

The farm is also home to cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, grass pastures, arable crops, its website said.

But the scheme, a mix of homes with two, three and four bedrooms, aims to remain in-keeping with the rest of the village, which is around seven miles from Leominster.

John Needham Associates, working on the scheme, said in a design and access statement that each home "follows clear readily understood traditional lines" in its design.

The firm said: "The dwellings are of varying scales and sizes. An eclectic mix of units is provided.

"The designs are intended to reflect the traditional characteristics typical of the Marches border areas and are sympathetic to the village.

"The dwellings have narrow spans combined with steep pitched roofs appropriate to a rural area as well as a conservation area.

"The narrow modelling that this arrangement permits avoids general bulkiness and by using gables with varying ridge heights and dormer windows achieves a dwelling with a traditional scale."

The proposed homes would be built with a mix of "traditional materials", the statement said.

Oak timber framing with rendered panels will be used in part but would not dominate.

With brick and render also proposed, consultants said it would give the appearance of "an older building which has developed organically overtime".

Timber boarding and brickwork would also used on the elevations "giving variety and interest".

The roofs would be clad in traditional slate and/or plain clay tiles, the consultants said.

The proposed access from the A44 East Street would be suitable, the statement said, as there would be a full-width, 5.5-metre road with sufficient visibility splays.

Comments on application 221052 can be made until May 12, with Herefordshire Council planners making a decision thereafter.