Go-ahead for 275 homes in Ledbury

County planners have given the go-ahead to build 275 homes in Ledbury and ignored local concerns that it would create a ‘walled fort’ on the outskirts of the town.

Barratt Homes’ plans to develop land south of Leadon Way were given permission on appeal in 2016.

However, the High Court quashed a reserved matters approval for the scheme on a technical matter relating to noise last year and councillors had to consider new plans.

Ledbury North councillor Liz Harvey raised concerns last month over the development’s layout.

The site contains a 40% affordable housing and coun Harvey said social housing tenants would be used as human shields to buffer the noise coming from the nearby cheese factory and bypass.

Town councillor John Bannister told the planning committee yesterday that the scheme failed to comply with their local plan and called for discussions to bring it in line with their policies.

“This development is behind a barrier which in places is five metres high.

“An area of open country on the edge of Ledbury town is to be replaced by effectively a walled fort.

“This design is straight out of the 1980s. Where are the renewable energy resources, the electric vehicle charging facilities, where is the local waste recycling?”

Resident Paul Kinnaird said it was wrong to allow construction of 275 without measures to address the climate emergency announced by Herefordshire Council.

While Stella Yates speaking for West Mercia Housing in support of the plans said their affordable homes would benefit the town.

“The affordable housing will range from social rents and to the opportunity to purchase a home through shared ownership.

“We will have a lot of tenants very interested in living in Ledbury.”

Simon Stanion, speaking for the applicant, said they had responded to a number of concerns and have included additional tree planting on the site.

“Nobody is trying to pretend that this development will not result in some adverse impact,” he said.

He said councillors would have to weigh up the benefits against the drawbacks of the scheme.

The plans were approved with 12 votes for it and two against.