Ten homes planned for village

Ten houses could be built on a field beside a Herefordshire village.

The two, three and four-bedroom homes would be on a field immediately south west of Ewyas Harold.

A statement with the application claims the proposal “will form a logical extension of the settlement and will not result in any uncharacteristic incursion into open countryside”.

It says the different designs incorporate more rural features such as steeper roof pitches, cottage-style windows, and a mixture of brick, and timber cladding finishes.

The development “seeks to embrace” the Government’s planned Future Homes Standard, which will require new homes to include low-carbon heating and be highly energy-efficient, the statement adds.

They will be airtight and will face south “wherever possible”, to maximise heat gain and enable solar panels on south-facing roofs.

An ecology survey found that the current site had little ecological interest within it or nearby.

The proposals aims to enhance its wildlife value, with tree, shrub and hedge planting, including along the southern boundary, and a drainage pond.

Bat boxes would be included in the new homes, with and bee and hedgehog boxes in the surrounding landscape in a bid to boost the site’s biodiversity value.

The plan includes parking for 27 cars and the same number of bicycles. All 10 homes would be sold at market rate.

The application says Herefordshire Council “confirmed the principle of the development to be acceptable including the layout, number of dwellings, designs etc.” in late 2018.

Views on the proposal can be posted on the Herefordshire Council website (application P213929/F) until 25 November, with a decision on it due by January.