OPPONENTS of a large new housing estate planned at a sensitive spot near Hereford were out in force as an inquiry got under way to finally determine whether it should go ahead.

STL Energy had its outline proposal for 350 homes, later reduced to 265, on “Land to the East of Hereford South of Ledbury Road (A438)”, refused by Herefordshire Council last December on several grounds.

These included the likely impact of the scheme on the adjacent Lugg & Hampton Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and on the wider catchment of the protected rivers Lugg and Wye, and on the “distinctive landscape character” of the lower Lugg valley.

The likely transport and drainage impact of the scheme were also cited.

After STL appealed against the refusal to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, inspector Matthew Jones began a planning inquiry on November 10, on the case which is scheduled to take until well into next week.

Though present at the inquiry, at the Chapterhouse of Belmont Abbey southwest of the city, STL director Nicholas Leyton did not address the opening.

His counsel Charles Banner KC, who was made a life peer in 2024, introduced a six-strong team who would be pressing for the appeal to be allowed, including Nick Matthews, regional planning director of property services firm Savills who has steered the scheme since it was first put forward in early 2024.

They faced a five-strong team opposite led by specialist barrister Leanne Buckley-Thomson for Herefordshire Council.

Mr Jones asked if any among the roughly 30 people in the public gallery also wished to speak during the inquiry, whether for or against, and if so whether they would be happy to undergo cross-examination by Lord Banner.

Joe Costley, reserves manager for conservation charity Plantlife, declined to be cross-examined.

But local campaigners Pam Gundy and Jessica Wood, who were instrumental in marshalling an unprecedented 1,700 local objections to the scheme, both said they would be prepared to be questioned.

Also in this camp were planning consultant Claire Bradley representing Hampton Parish Council, Bartestree with Lugwardine Parish Council vice-chair Wendy Soilleux, Hereford Civic Society chairman Jeremy Milln, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust representative Frances Weeks and planning consultant Helen Hamilton for Campaign for the Protection of Rural England in Herefordshire.

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