Herefordshire Council has agreed to sell land in a village near Hereford for just £1.

A decision was made by Sarah Jowett, strategic assets delivery director, to sell land at the Maltings, Dormington, for the small fee.

She said the land at the Maltings, just off the A438 Ledbury Road, is owned by the council and is designated as a public open space by a restrictive covenant on the registered title.

In line with council policy, Dormington and Mordiford Parish Council submitted a reasoned case demonstrating their experience in maintaining other land in the area, that they have the financial resource to do so and the social and community value they can deliver as a result of the transfer, she said.

The sale will now go ahead for £1 on the basis that the case has been made for a successful and financially sustainable project delivering social and community value.

The use of the land will be restricted to public open space for the benefit of the local residents, and all management and maintenance liabilities will transfer to the parish council.

The council chief also said that the parish council will pay legal and other costs in the matter.

She said the land could be retained by Herefordshire Council, but it would mean it would still be responsible for the cost of ongoing maintenance and management.