WESTON under Penyard is one of only six parishes in the county to have completed its neighbourhood plan.

Parishes across the county are preparing their plans, which will detail how parishioners would like to see their village or area developed.

Before these are taken into account Herefordshire Council's Core Strategy must be approved by the Government, which was submitted last September.

The strategy is part of the county council's Local Plan which will guide development in the county over the next 20 years.

Weston under Penyard's plan will now be examined by Herefordshire Council and later this year is expected to be put to a parish referendum.

The plan allocates sites for a minimum of 55 new houses and, although this is more than many residents wanted, it was essential to comply with the Herefordshire Core Strategy which requires this number as part of the overall plan for houses in rural areas.

The plan supports the development of two sites on the eastern edge of the village, either side of the A40. Herefordshire Council is already processing two planning applications for these sites and is expected to reach a decision in September.

A third planning application has been received for 25 more houses on a site at the western edge of the village.

The neighbourhood plan does not support this and asks for the county council to take this into consideration.

View the plan at www.weston-under-penyard.com.