Plans have been put forward for four sustainable houses on derelict land in Hereford.

The application, by Nick and Tara Sharma of Surrey, proposes extending the current King’s Crescent, itself a recent development, further along the curve of the Hereford-Worcester railway line north of the station.

The narrow, 160 metre-long finger of land between the railway and Kingsway, described as currently “overgrown with brambles”, would then form a private, gated road.

Access to the houses would require use of a section of private driveway as well as the adopted King’s Crescent. The new road would have permeable paving to reduce storm water run-off.

Noise from trains would be reduced by acoustic fencing and planting of new trees and hedging, the application says.

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Initial pre-application advice from Herefordshire Council “was not supportive of the proposals”, prompting a revised layout, it adds.

Three of the proposed dormer bungalows would have two bedrooms, the fourth one, three. A separate building would provide secure bicycle and mobility scooter storage and charging.

Of “modern design”, the houses would have “timber or similar” cladding, double or triple glazing, and with their own electric vehicle charging points.

With “the highest standards of thermal efficiency”, the energy cost for each “should be between zero and £300 per year”, the application claims, adding: “This will of course mean a greater capital investment including air-source heat pumps and solar panels.”

Local amenities would be “in easy walking distance” including by bike and scooter, and the area is “well served” by public transport.

“The demand for bungalows for the elderly and the disabled has never been higher, and many organisations have already expressed much interest in the proposed development,” the application says.

The area is currently being “encroached” by the rear gardens of the Kingsway properties, and suffers from tipping of garden waste and rubbish, it adds.

The far tip of the finger of land will be turned into a wildlife area, preserving any biodiversity already found on the site.

Comments on the planning application, numbered 222799, can be made until November 9.