A DEVELOPER proposing to deliver 156 high-quality homes at the Marsh Farm site in Ross-on-Wye has presented its plans to the town council and held a public consultation.

The site is located close to the new Ross Enterprise Park, and Landra Developments’ proposals have been shaped to make the most of this sustainable location, creating strong pedestrian links and integrating the existing public rights of way into the design.

This includes up to 40 per cent much-needed affordable housing, set within publicly accessible landscaped green space, with play areas and biodiversity at its heart.

Cllr John Winder chairman of Ross Town Council’s planning meeting said that feelings in the packed chamber were running high.

Arwell Evans, the consultant planning director explained to the meeting that Herefordshire needed to build more than 27,000 over the coming years.

And of the 10.3-hectare site at Marsh Farm, 40 per cent would be used for residential development while 60 per cent would be set aside as an open space. It also proposed that two existing buildings on the site would be demolished.

The company stated that its proposals were to access the site via the Glebe as the current farm track access is not suitable for general purpose use.

However, residents of the Glebe raised numerous concerns about the single access road being the only entrance to the development site.

Cllr Bev Pope asked: “I may be looking at this in a simplistic way but given the pressure from central government on Herefordshire Council to build houses, I really don’t understand why an alternative route through Ross Enterprise Park doesn’t make more sense while it’s still in its construction phase.”

The consultants responded that this wasn’t something the local authority had offered.

Cllr Pope replied: “This suggestion of a second access road should be reviewed as it would calm things down locally. I’m sure this would be a strong bargaining position.”

The following day Landra Developments held a public consultation event at the Larruperz Centre.

A spokesperson for Landra Developments said: “As well as a full house when we presented to Ross Town Council, more than 100 residents attended our consultation event the following day.

“We really appreciate people taking the time to come and meet us and discuss our proposals for 156 new homes, including up to 40 per cent much-needed affordable homes.

“Our professional team of designers, planners, transport and drainage engineers were able to answer lots of the questions local people had. There are some things which residents have expressed concerns about.

“We will review those issues to see if the plans can be modified during discussions with council officers once we have submitted our planning application.

“As our application is outline – which mainly deals with the principle of development and access arrangements – many of the points raised would be dealt with in any subsequent detailed planning application. But we welcome and will review all feedback.”

If anyone has further questions, they can contact the developer through its consultation website: landra-newhomes-ross.co.uk.