A DEVELOPER bidding to build 12 homes in Albert Road, Ledbury, has appealed to the Government to grant planning permission.

The scheme, which also involves a new access road, was refused permission by Herefordshire Council on April 30, amid strong local opposition.

Barry Connally, director of developer Rural Homes, has now withdrawn an amended application for ten homes on the same site in favour of an appeal against the original decision.

The mayor of Ledbury, Coun Keith Francis, who lives on Albert Road and has spearheaded a campaign to stop the development, is urging Herefordshire Council to fight.

He said: "The appeal is not unexpected although the original planning application was turned down by 12 votes to 1, and two abstentions. I expect Herefordshire Council to defend its position."

The original application was thrown out because councillors felt it was "an over development of the site, creating a cramped form of development, out of character with the area".

The councillors also decided that it would have an adverse impact on highway safety, with Albert Road having no pavements.

Coun Francis said Albert Road residents had new photographs showing refuse lorries having trouble negotiating parked cars, which are an existing problem in the narrow Victorian street.

Residents must send three copies of any new representations to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol, no later than September 10.

Every householder in Albert Road has received a letter from Herefordshire Council, informing them of the appeal.

Rural Homes plans to demolish two existing homes on Albert Road and put in an access road to a new site.

At the time of his first application, Mr Connally told the Reporter that after discussions with the Highways Authority, he believed there would only be a minimal impact on traffic and the site would be a 'high-class' development which would help enhance the surroundings. Mr Connally also stressed that Rural Homes had never lost a planning appeal.