OUTLINE planning permission for the construction of two, semi-detached cottages and one detached bungalow in Peterstow, has been approved by Herefordshire planners.

The land at the centre of the application, is opposite a property known as the Pippins, and comprises the north-east corner of a wider field, presently used as grazing which is occasionally used by local walkers despite no formal public right of way designation.

The proposed layout also includes the construction of a new vehicular access for one of the buildings.

The application follows a previous outline planning permission that was granted in 2023 for two low-cost affordable, semi-detached cottages and a bungalow but now the affordable housing element has now been dropped altogether.

The square-shaped site covers an area of approximately 0.2 hectares and while the settlement pattern of Peterstow is nucleated set around a village common, there are strings of houses that radiate from the common to the south.

The topography of the parcel of land generally falls away from north-east to the south-west/south although there is occasional undulation.

Native hedgerow along with some semi-mature trees surround the site’s boundaries which lies within the Wye Valley National Landscape, but is outside the Peterstow Conservation Area.

A modern housing development lies to the immediate north of the site with two well-established bungalows that lie to the east of the site on the opposite side of the lane.

The application states that the village as a whole is devoid of housing estate development and comprises mainly individually designed house designs.

Peterstow Parish Council commented on the application: “Following an Extraordinary Meeting of the council in December 2022, with all councillors and ward councillor Elissa Swinglehurst present, 15 points of objection were detailed.

“This was the view of the full council, with no dissent. However, this new application now seeks permission for open market value development asks for the policies of the made Neighbourhood Development Plan to be set aside.”

Planning officer Josh Bailey said: “In assessing the proposal against the relevant policies, it is acknowledged that the site lies outside the defined settlement boundary of Peterstow, however there were no other conflicts found with this proposal.

“National guidelines suggest a presumption in favour of sustainable development and as Herefordshire Council is presently unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites, outline planning permission should therefore be granted.”

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