Plans for a 10-house development submitted after a slightly larger scheme was earlier rejected

Plans for a 10-house development by a Herefordshire village have been submitted after a slightly larger scheme was earlier rejected.

The nearly two-acre site east of Eardisley, currently a paddock, would potentially see four three-bedroom and two four-bedroom homes to be sold at market rate, and four more of unspecified size as self-build and custom-build properties, also for open market sale.

A previous bid to build 17 houses on the site, but extending up to the rear gardens of existing properties on Almeley Road, was refused in 2020, due to being outside the settlement boundary, being likely to intensify traffic, and not providing enough affordable housing.

Being further set back from existing homes “should remove overlooking objections from the neighbours”, according to the new application, which makes no provision for affordable homes.

John Needham, agent for the applicants, Mr & Mrs Harwood of Bradnor near Kington, says in the application that a housing developer is interested in starting work on the site in August.

The same developer has said the adjoining Glebe site, allocated for new housing in the village’s development plan, “is not a viable development risk”, he writes.

“The failure to have regard to the housing market and commercial viability in approving housing sites has been one of the key reasons for slow delivery of housing within Herefordshire,” Mr Needham claims.

The application for outline permission says its suggested housing mix could be changed, but that the new homes “will follow a strong vernacular rural Herefordshire design and character”, while the inclusion of self-build homes would “ensure the best opportunity for local people who wish to build their own home”.