Village homes plan approved

County planners have given the go-ahead to a scheme to build five new homes in a village near Hereford.

Mr and Mrs Thomas’ plans to develop land to the west of Ashdown House in Marden was approved after three rounds of voting today.

Planning officers recommended giving the go-ahead the proposals for a trio of three-bed detached houses and a pair of two-bed semi-detached homes.

The scheme was opposed by Marden parish council and some 40 objectors.

And despite ward councillor Kema Guthrie’s calls to reject the scheme, councillors approved it.

“I strongly appeal to members of this committee to duly give much weight to the Marden neighbourhood development plan and to the many public representations who raised concerns,” she asked today’s (December 16) planning and regulatory committee.

Councillor Tony Johnson agreed that it was an inappropriate development site.

While councillor Sebastian Bowen said more weight should be given to local neighbourhood plans.

“I don’t think it’s OK. What’s the point of having a settlement boundary if we don’t observe it.”

And councillor William Wilding said the proposals were not as environmentally friendly as they should be.

“I don’t see any solar panels put on any of the drawings.

“I don’t see any south facing rooves on the design.”

However, councillor Terry James said the council was getting itself into a mess over its housing target.

“If we are not careful, we shall lose the ability to decide planning applications.

“We are not getting enough housing on our five years supply and that is getting worse.”

A motion to reject the scheme and one to defer were suggested but both were voted down.

A proposal to approve the scheme was tied with six votes for, six against and two abstentions.

Chairman John Hardwick used his casting vote to break the deadlock and approve the plans.