Backers of a controversial planned 350-home estate to the east of Hereford say a decision on it won’t now be made until autumn.

Nick Matthews, planning director at property services firm Savills which is acting for the scheme’s developer STL Group, confirmed: “We have agreed an extension of time with the planning case officer for the determination of the planning application until mid-September.”

The proposals for land south of the A438 Ledbury Road immediately east of the city, next to the Lugg Meadow nature reserve, include employment space, a farm shop and café.

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But after widespread opposition from both experts and the public, the senior council official responsible for deciding on the plan Ollie Jones wrote to Mr Matthews last week saying the plan “cannot be supported” in its current form.

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.

Reasons for this included the sustainability of the site, its transport connections with the city, the estate’s impact on the landscape and on wildlife, as well as unaddressed concerns over flooding.

He warned that unless Savills agreed to an extension in which it would then address these points, or withdrew the application completely, it “will be determined in its current form, with a recommendation for refusal”.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson confirmed: “An extension of time until 11 September has been agreed between the Local Planning Authority and the applicant.”