MP objects to village homes

North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin is objecting to plans to build nine homes in his village.

David Greer wants to develop the land between Millennium Hall and Leeward House in Upton Bishop.

His plans include four starter homes, three family homes, which could be self-build plots, and two bungalows which would allow residents to downsize and remain in the village.

But the proposals have drawn dozens of objections from local people including Mr Wiggin.

The Conservative Party MP says the scheme is too large for the village.

“We do not think there is mains sewerage as stated in the application,” he said in his written objection to the plans.

“There is a pond in our field next to the applicant’s property which we would like to keep clean and sewage run off would pollute it.

“There is room for one or two homes rather than nine.”

Some 33 people have objected to the scheme along with the parish council.

Their objections include concerns over road safety, noise from the nearby village hall, the properties would not be in keeping with the village and the lack of mains sewers in the area.

Herefordshire Council’s planning committee is set to debate the proposals at a meeting tomorrow.

Planning officers are recommending that councillors should approve the scheme subject to conditions.

They say the construction of nine new homes would help as it is in an area where there is a shortfall of housing sites.

“The proposal aligns with the development plan and is considered to represent a sustainable pattern of development,” the council report reads.

“In light of the tilted balance the adverse effects of the proposal in relation to landscape change are not considered to significantly outweigh the identified benefits.

“The adverse effects identified are not sufficient to significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the national planning policy framework as a whole.”