THE PLANNED expansion of Ledbury through new housing estates shows no sign of slowing down, with Bovis Homes about to throw its hat into the ring for 300 homes off Leadon Way.

With Bloor seeking planning permission for 625 new homes to the north of Ledbury viaduct and with Barratt set to build 321 homes, also on the Leadon Way site, to the south of Ledbury, the total amount of new homes could virtually double the 800 homes earmarked in Herefordshire Council's planning blueprint for the next two decades, The Core Strategy.

Bovis, which first announced its interest in the site to Ledbury Town Council in 2014, is to hold a public presentation day about its plans at Ledbury Community Centre, on Thursday, June 29, from 2pm to 7pm.

But Ledbury residents have already expressed concerns on social media over the extra pressure on the local infrastructure which another major new estate could generate.

And there were also significant calls that the new estate, if approved, should contain a significant proportion of affordable or social housing.

Jeremy Moore, on the Ledbury Reporter Facebook page said: "Why on earth do the developers have these supposed 'consultations?' It's just public relations. Ledbury has been totally over developed in recent years and far from reducing the cost of housing, it just seems to increase it. And yes I know we're desperate for social housing. I naively think there should be a moratorium on any major new housing developments until reassurances are put in place regarding the infrastructure of the town. When will it ever end?"

Gary Williams said of the proposal: "I don't think it is a good thing. I don't believe we need that many new houses and the developers risk spoiling the town and overloading our infrastructure all for the sake of making a quick buck."

On the Facebook site, The Voice of Ledbury, Maggie Van Damme said: "I'm probably in the minority but think it's a good thing, as long as they do the services as well to cope, such as another doctors' surgery, and expanding the local schools, and affordable homes."

Earl Robinson said: "Are they going to provide extra nursery, primary and senior school classes facilities, doctors, policing, fire service, paramedic and ambulance extras to scale? - and also parking, parking and parking?"

Kirsty Ann Boswell said: "There is just no affordable housing in Ledbury for younger people to get on to the property ladder so I'm all for this to go ahead. Although I do think that a lot of thought needs to be put into the school and doctors and emergency service situation."

But there were concerns that the new homes might not go to local people.

Ross Mills said: "Let's hope the rich folk from London and the like don't decide to snap it all up for rental homes and second homes."

A Bovis spokesman said the company looked forward to getting "ideas and feedback from local residents".

The spokesman added: "We believe the site offers an exciting opportunity to provide a good quality development to meet a range of local housing needs, with up to 40 per cent of properties being designated as affordable homes.

"The application will be submitted later in the summer, once we have had time to consider fully all the views and feedback received through the consultation. Ledbury is a wonderful location and one of the most sustainable settlements within Herefordshire, with an excellent range of services and facilities."

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