Backers of a controversial plans to build a 350-home estate on land between the edge of Hereford and a sensitive river habitat have admitted the scheme was not popular with locals even early on.

Property services firm Savills, acting for developer STL Group, ran a programme of community involvement last September, in theory to guide the planned development south of the A438 Ledbury Road and alongside the Lugg Meadow site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

This included public exhibitions in Hereford and neighbouring Hampton Bishop, the parish in which the site lies, as well as a consultation website, now offline.

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“The applicant has sought to make sure the local community has genuine input into the development proposal,” Savills’ report of the consultation says.

But from the 14 feedback forms from the in-person events, and 72 online responses, 67 “provided negative comments” on the principle of the scheme – relating mainly to flood risk, impact on wildlife, concerns about schools and doctors, and traffic.

The Hereford Times' Our Precious Meadow campaign is highlighting why, for the good of the county, we think this plan should not go through. Read our other articles here.

When shown the masterplan for the 25-hectare scheme, which is to include a farm shop and café, employment space, “58 responses were negative, six were positive, 12 were neutral”, Savills’ report says.

Even the commercial building elements went down relatively poorly, drawing 42 negative responses compared with 18 which were positive and 15 neutral.

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Questions about transport, sustainability and biodiversity also drew predominantly negative comments.

Savills said afterwards that proposals for the estate “were updated where appropriate to consider the key views put forward”.

As well as the added option of a new primary school on the east of the site, more drainage ponds and greenery have been added to the masterplan following the exercise (see image), though it otherwise appears the same.

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“Community and stakeholder consultation is an iterative process that advances beyond the submission of a planning application; it continues throughout the course of application determination and implementation,” Savills’ report added.

It pointed out that residents would also have the chance to submit their views to the county’s formal planning consultation. The number of objections submitted this way now stands at 1,070.

Herefordshire Council, which must determine the full planning application, has now extended its target date for this until June 11.