Dear Editor

Further to the article in the Ross Gazette dated Wednesday, May 8th, regarding the Merrivale Lane housing proposal, I have particular concern regarding certain items referred to therein.

Why are the applicants appointing independent valuers to assess the site? Are they considering selling the site or are there other reasons, such as getting support to build a larger housing development?

Why did the article state that the recommendation of a refusal by the planning officer was because of the housing mix and the ineffectual use of the land as Herefordshire Council would be looking for 20-25 houses on a site of this size?

Surely as the application for 10 houses was refused and the fact that the road is used through the estate, up to Walford Road and the Roman Hill housing estate, additional traffic coming off such a development would only cause further danger on a road which already has safety issues.

I hope the owners of the site, the planning officers and the newly elected Councillors are not proposing to build an even greater number of houses than that originally applied for on the previous application, using the planning officers statement regarding ineffectual use of land as a reason for a larger development.

I trust the Herefordshire Council Planning officers and the newly elected Councillors will not give consideration to any proposal for further development on the site, taking into account the safety issues already pointed out and the volume of objections to any further development on the site.

Many residents who live on the Merrivale Lane are elderly and there are also children who have to cross the road on their way to school.

David J Open

Assc Member RICS

Ross-on-Wye