GRAVES graves dating back 250 years will be dug up to make way for a development of new homes.

Harper Group Construction Ltd plans to build 12 houses on part of the former Quaker burial ground in Bromyard.

The project in Pump Street, by the Birmingham-based developers, will require the digging up of an unknown quantity of remains.

A large part of the development will be built on the site of an old tannery yard, but there is an area measuring 33ft by 13ft which overlaps the former burial ground and it is thought some of the oldest graves could date back to 1760.

As a result of strict regulations governing building on graveyards, the developers published details of the development in the local Press last week, giving people two months to come forward if they do not want a descendant's grave to be disturbed.

Once the two-month period is over, archaeological contractors will then carry out a series of small excavations to see what is on the site.

"The part of the burial site which overlaps is only a small part of the overall site but there is a possibility there are remains on there," said Jonathan Barrett, head of planning at Herefordshire Council.

"However no one will know until the excavations are done.

"At the moment there is scrub and trees, so there is no evidence on the ground of any gravestones, or anything."

"If people whose relatives are buried there come forward and wish them to be undisturbed there is provision to leave them as they are.

"The burial ground is in what will be the rear gardens of the properties and they will be fenced off."

Planning permission was originally granted by the council in August, for 10 new homes and the renovation of two existing buildings.

It is believed the original applicant has since sold the site on to Harper Group Construction.

Development plans can be viewed at the council's information office in Bromyard.

If you have relatives buried at the Quaker burial ground in Bromyard, the Evening News would like to hear from you. Contact the newsdesk on wenedit@thisisworcester.co.uk or call 01905 742252.