Herefordshire county councillors have this week approved proposals for 45 homes in Bromyard.
Bromyard and Wilmslow Town Council along with 12 residents objected to Keepmoat Homes’ plans to build on the site of the former council depot on land at Hereford Road.
But the scheme, which includes demolition of existing buildings and removal of hardstanding, was recommended for approval by council officers and the committee agreed.
Speaking at the December 18 planning committee meeting, town mayor Roger Page said building on the site would result in a loss of employment land.
“This site is registered by Herefordshire Council as brownfield employment land,” he said.
He said that around 12 acres of employment land must be established under the county council’s plan to develop the Bromyard area.
“That hasn’t even begun and here we have a third of that actually being taken away for the purposes of housing,” he said.
Isabel Sinclair who also spoke against the plans expressed concerns over road safety.
She said: “There would be no footpath for young children who would have to cross fast road.”
Queen Elizabeth High School chair of governors Andy Jones wrote in support of the plans.
His letter was read out at the meeting by chairman Phil Cutter.
“The key benefit from the school is the developers undertaking to provide a new access path to our site usable for students on foot and bicycle,” he said.
“Students could cross the A44 using the underpass near the GP surgery and this is a significant gain for us in terms of road safety.”
Bromyard West councillor Alan Seldon expressed concerns over the proposals said they were for a ‘windfall site’ and did not form part of the council’s strategic plan.
The planning committee approved the proposals with 11 votes in favour, two against and one abstention.
The scheme will comprise 27 homes for sale on the open market and 18 affordable dwellings with open space and landscaping.
The plan also includes a large public open space extending over almost half an acre that will include a play area, and a pedestrian and cycle route which will allow access to the high school.
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