PLANS for 33 homes in a village near Hereford have been blocked.

Significant objection had been raised to the application in Fownhope which is in Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Herefordshire Council’s planning officer had recommended the scheme, which would have included 22 open market family homes and 11 affordable homes at Mill Field, be approved.

But a majority of the council’s planning committee last week refused to support the application which had been submitted by Hardwick & Sons.

Despite lying in the AONB, planning officer Edward Thomas said it doesn’t represent a major development.

But Fownhope Parish Council objected, saying they were not what village residents say they want, adding it would represent a ten per cent increase in the size of the village.

Cllr Sebastian Bowen told the planning committee it would undoubtedly have some adverse affect on Fownhope but pointed out that consultants, including the land drainage officer and housing development officer, have no objections.

“Yes this is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, but so is the whole village,”

he said.

But Cllr Terry Widdows said residents should be the main consulates, with many not supporting it.

Cllr Mark Hubbard said the key argument was whether the scheme was a major development, adding it was a matter of opinion, not fact.