PLANS to build up to 250 homes have been met with strong opposition in one Herefordshire town.

An application for outline planning permission for a "sustainable urban extension" of up to 250 homes on land at Hardwick Bank in Bromyard has been submitted to Herefordshire Council.

The application is for outline permission for 250 homes, open space, allotments, landscaping, children's play areas, school expansion land, drainage, internal roads, and associated infrastructure has been submitted to Herefordshire Council, while detailed approval is sought for principal means of access and layout with all other matters reserved.

A meeting of Bromyard Town Council in May heard a variety of concerns from locals.

Concerns raised were a lack of basic infrastructure such as capacity in GP, dentist and school provision, current lack of employment land for the existing work force in the town, and the ability of the existing sewage and water system to cope with increased demand.

Further concerns were raised about the proposed route onto the A44, which one local said could pose a risk to pedestrians, and the width of Upper Hardwick Lane, with fears it is too narrow to cope with increased usage resulting from the development.

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People living next to the site would be negatively impacted by the development, loss of green space, reduced proximity to the countryside, loss of views and increased disturbance, the meeting heard, while it could also cause a loss of habitat for a variety of fauna and flora.

Locals also raised concerns that a road through the development indicates the potential future expansion of the site.

Councillor Roger Page also outlined several reasons as to why the committee should not support this application based on the plans for safe access, including footpaths, verges, and cycleways, the meeting minutes revealed.

It was resolved that the council opposes the application, and "strongly recommends that planning permission is refused" on the basis that safe access including footpaths, verges and cycleways is not proven in this application.

The application has received more than 40 objections.

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