Weobley homes scheme refused

Plans to erect six homes and garages on land next to the Methodist Chapel, Hereford Road, Weobley, have been refused by members of Herefordshire Council's main planning committee on Friday, January 18.

The application was deferred from the planning committee meeting on December 14 because members wanted more information on affordable housing in Weobley.

The site is allocated in the Unitary Development Plan for an estimated capacity of 12 homes of which 35 per cent must be made available for affordable housing.

The proposed homes are one two-bed, one three-bed and four four-bed homes, with none of them affordable.

Herefordshire Council's forward planning manager said the proposed density of homes on the site was not in compliance with policy.

The council's strategic housing manager objected to the proposed development due to no provision for affordable housing. The Weobley Housing Needs survey of February 2007 identified a need for a further 11 affordable homes in the village.

Home Point also has 29 households currently living in Weobley who require affordable housing within Weobley.

Weobley currently has 143 affordable housing units, 68 of which are sheltered or for the over 55s.

"This proposal singularly fails to address possibly the most pressing issue for the council in not providing any affordable dwellings as required by the site allocation in the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan, council policy generally, regional policy and national policy," a report to the northern area planning sub-committee said.

Twelve letters of comment were received from residents, supporting the proposed access to the site although some expressed concern at the size of the planned homes in comparison to surrounding houses.

Weobley Parish Council raised no objections to the application.