Developer wins planning appeal for 625-home site
Bloor Homes has won its appeal to Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick after Herefordshire Council refused outline planning permission for a major mixed-use scheme.
The developer plans to build 625 homes and 2.9 hectares of employment space in Ledbury, on a site next to Ledbury Viaduct and Orchard Business Park.
Planning officers had recommended that the scheme be approved, but councillors voted against in December 2019.
In February 2020, Herefordshire Council wrote to the Planning Inspectorate advising that following a review of its case it had decided to withdraw the three reasons for refusal. However the following month Ledbury Town Council applied for main party status in the appeal.
The principal objection was about the single access road to the site, but there were also concerns about housing demand and flood risk.
The appeal was heard by way of a virtual public inquiry, which took place over two weeks in July and September last year.
However the Government’s planning inspector found no reason to block the development, and the Secretary of State supported his recommendation.
An application for a full award of costs was made by Bloor Homes Western against Ledbury Town Council and Herefordshire Council. Ledbury Town Council has previously revealed that its own legal costs are more than £100,000.
