PROTESTERS against the planned redevelopment of Leadon Bank say they have scored a significant victory over Herefordshire Council.

Councillors were being invited to approve the scheme by their officers at a meeting on Wednesday, but it was scratched from the area planning committee agenda at the eleventh hour.

It will now be heard by the council's full planning committee on July 15 at the earliest.

Steve Kerridge, of Belle Orchard, spokesman for residents living close to the old people's home, said: "The council owns the land and is working with the developer.

"This is a point we have raised with our MP, Bill Wiggin, and also in letters sent to all the councillors, concerning what we believe is a conflict of interest. We seem to have been taken seriously and this is a significant step forward for all the residents who are objecting."

Around 60 protesters attended a meeting last month in the Baptist Church to launch their letter-writing campaign.

They say the proposed building would be too high and dominating in Orchard Lane.

Developers Shaw Healthcare has already revised plans for the new home in response to objections, reducing the building's height from 15.5m at the highest point to 13.4m.

The existing home, to the rear of the proposed new site, will be demolished and a car park built there to serve the new home.

Council spokesman John Burnett said the switch to the main planning committee was in line with new council policy on consideration of applications relating to its own land.

Meanwhile, a decision on a planning application for a car-free housing scheme on the site of the Secret Garden in Ledbury has been deferred.

Members of the northern area planning sub-committee decided to go on a site visit to the garden centre, off the Homend, when the application came before them on Wednesday.

The application, submitted by R Harper Estate, calls for the removal of an old glasshouse and the building of five new homes, as a car-free scheme.