Rural homes rejected

County councillors have unanimously rejected plans to build seven homes in the countryside near Newtown crossroads.

L.T.F Properties Ltd wanted to develop the land north of Monksbury Court Barns in Monkhide.

Their proposals to build on 2.47 acres of grazing land had the backing of Herefordshire Council planning officers.

But Yarkhill parish council and 14 residents objected to the proposals and ward councillor Jonathan Lester called for their rejection.

They raised concerns over its overdevelopment of the site, poor design, lack of local services and that it would go against the neighbourhood plan.

Parish council chairman Jeffrey Hughes told today’s (November 10) planning committee meeting that the seven houses would be disproportionate for the area and would spoil rural Monkhide.

“The parish is already 25% over its housing commitment,” he said.

“The development falls well short of achieving sustainability. Monkhide is a small rural community with no services or facilities and a poor infrastructure.

“So, every journey to and from the site would be made by car.”

Another objector Peter Durnan said the new homes would add to the problem flooding.

“Worryingly some of this would be grey water. Or if you prefer, liquid sewage.”

“This development represents too many houses, of the wrong size and design and in the wrong place.

“It appears to be about greed and not need.”

Owen Fry, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the neighbourhood plan identified that the site was suitable for a housing development and that there was a low risk of flooding.

He said the proposals would have a limited visual impact as there was existing screening from hedgerows, trees, and orchards.

“The proposed is sensitive to the area and reflects the design of the converted barns and Monksbury Court.

“The proposed would not look out of place in its setting.”

But councillor Lester said the proposals went against council’s core strategy and that the development could lead to flooding affecting the current residents in the area.

“It’s incongruous development in agricultural land and there are serious concerns that the officers themselves have about the viability of the scheme and its ability to be maintained in view of the flood risks.

“This is an application that cannot be supported.”

Councillor Paul Rone said it was “urbanisation of rural Herefordshire” and was totally car dependent.

He proposed rejecting the scheme and this was seconded by councillor John Stone.

And the committee unanimously voted to turn down the proposals.