Source:  Ledbury Reporter

BROMYARD’S population could swell by more than 500 people as plans for a massive housing development to the north of the town are submitted.  Marsten Developments proposes building 178 dwellings ranging from four-bedroom houses to two bedroom flats adjacent to Porthouse Industrial Estate, to the east of Tenbury Road.

The 11.5 hectares site would also include two new cricket pitches, a cricket pavilion, a rugby pitch, a youth centre, car parking and a new pedestrian foot-bridge linking properties to the existing rugby club.

It is envisaged 57 units will be affordable housing, the remaining being open market, with typically two-storey designs adopted across the site.

A landscaped bund will be used on the south-east of the proposed site to act as a barrier between the residential properties and the industrial estate.

Herefordshire councillor for Bromyard, Alan Seldon, said he had yet to view the application in detail but there was no question the town had to expand, adding: “We have been waiting so long for this site to be developed. It was finally decided it would be residential and that was three-years ago.

“The only thing I’m disappointed in is we’re going to build these houses and these people are going to have to work somewhere. To build houses without some form of employment nearby is not sustainable.”

A design and access statement produced by architects Hewitt Studios LLP says the development would have a “rural domestic feel” which “lies wholly within the area identified for development within the recently adopted Unitary Development Framework and wholly outside of the area which the EA believes is subject to flooding”.

It continues: “We believe the scheme we have put forward is designed sympathetically with its surroundings, thereby demonstrating the suitability of Porthouse Farm for much needed housing.”

The developer has applied for outline planning permission from Herefordshire Council and public consultation period will take place until January 27.