DEVELOPERS have announced they will appeal a decision which stopped them building more than 70 homes close to the route of the proposed Hereford bypass.

Wyevale Holdings Ltd wants to put 73 houses next to Kings Acre Halt off Kings Acre Road.

Their initial bid was refused as a transport assessment submitted with the application incorrectly stated the A480, where cars would enter the site, was subject to a 40mph limit, instead of 60mph.

The entrance also lies opposite the entrance to Wyevale Business Park, with Herefordshire Council saying this could “increase the likelihood of accidents”.

Another reason for refusal, according to the council, is that the site could obstruct the city’s earmarked western bypass.

But Heather Williamson, a director at Wyevale Holdings Ltd, believes the site is an “excellent opportunity to provide muchneeded housing in Herefordshire”.

“We believe the site represents a suitable and sustainable location for housing due to its connections with a local primary school, cycle path and bus route,” she said.

“If planning permission were granted it offers the opportunity to deliver local benefits through investment in the community and would provide funding for a cycle path along all of Kings Acre Road.

“In addition, our proposal would fulfil the obligations of Breinton Parish Council to provide new housing for some years to come without impacting on the more rural areas of Breinton Parish.

“The first objection is in relation to access and our transport consultant considers the proposal arrangements to be acceptable.

The second objection raised by the council is that the proposal would predetermine decisions that have to made in relation to the western relief road route.

“Whilst a very small part of the land falls within the very edge of the inner western relief road corridor we believe that there is no reasonable prospect for the route passing through or close to the site.”

The hearing will take place at Hereford Town Hall on April 21 from 10am.