Trustees submitted plans to build 10 homes on a Ross-on-Wye paddock on Monday, November 12th.

The Ruth Lilian McQueen Keohane Discretionary Trust wants to develop the 1.5-acre site off Merrivale Lane which is currently used for grazing and contains a row of trees and a small stable.

Architects working for the scheme say the housing estate would be formed around a cul-de-sac street and would use trees as natural screening between the homes.

The site comprises of a detached bungalow with gardens of lawn, standard trees, ornamental borders and adjacent paddocks. The latter are currently grazed by ponies on rotation and there is a small field shelter in the south-west corner of the paddock. A driveway that is flanked by fencing, entirely covered by the growth of ivy, connects the bungalow with Merrifield Lane.

The Preliminary Ecological Appraisal pointed out: “The site is located in Ashfield, a residential suburb in Ross-on-Wye. Linked gardens associated with properties within Ashfield provide continuous habitat connected to the wider landscape that could be used by bats for foraging and commuting. The site is connected via gardens to the River Wye corridor to the west.

The proposals include a range of three to four-bedroom homes, each would have a garage and the materials are expected to complement the prevailing vernacular found in the conservation area.

The scheme includes the creation of a T-junction onto Merrivale Lane as a means of accessing the site.

The Ecological Appraisal found that there were no invasive species within two kilometres of the site, and in addition to this none were recorded whilst on the site.

Some of the habitats found on the site included mixed trees, scattered shrub, improved grassland, amenity grassland and species-poor hedgerow. A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We have no objection to the proposed development.” They added that: “Developers should incorporate pollution prevention measures to protect ground and surface water.”

Local residents have until December 20th, 2018 to comment on the plans. Herefordshire Council are anticipating that they will come to a decision by February 18th, 2019.