RENEWED interest from developers in land by Ledbury viaduct could lead to the completion of a bypass extension to the Bromyard Road within five years.

Interest has gathered pace since planning permission was granted in the summer for a new £1 million fuel plant there for Watson Petroleum.

Now other developers are in talks with both Herefordshire Council and local landowners.

Before permission is granted to further develop the site, however, developers will be asked to fund the bypass extension, which will run under the viaduct and across farmland.

Barry Ashton, Herefordshire Councillor for Ledbury, said: "There is a lot of interest at the moment and hopefully we can get the bypass extension within the next five years.

"A number of developers have approached landowners and one has even put forward a development plan to Herefordshire Council."

The bypass extension would effectively open up large areas of land for industrial use and even new housing.

Talks are also ongoing with Network Rail, which will need to grant permission for the bypass to pass under the viaduct.