MORE than 200 homes have been approved on the outskirts of Ross-on-Wye.

Herefordshire Council's Planning Committee unanimously voted in favour of 212 homes being built at Hildersley Farm, to the east of the town.

The meeting heard that the number of homes had been reduced from 250 following objections made by the Ministry of Defence in respect of the site's proximity to their firing range.

The new masterplan showed that the homes would be sited outside of an area where the noise would be considered too loud.

Ward member, Phil Cutter, said: "As a matter of fact, in the 36 years representing this area I have never and this is a fact, never had one complaint about the noise at Hildersley."

Planning officer Andrew Banks said the firing range was used on average six times a month between 2005 and 2015 and only twice at the weekend during that period and the latest time was 11pm.

Cllr Seldon said: "If one buys a property next to a firing range one would hope that you would do the research in that decision. Given the number of days of the year it is in use I don't think it has sufficient weight on refusing this application".

An objector, Peter Baldus, said there was not enough affordable housing within the plan to meet the local need and that commuters would live in the new homes as there are not enough jobs in the town.

The development will have 40 percent affordable housing, which Cllr Cutter said was a lot more than other developments.

The access to the development will be on the A40, and a 40mph speed limit is proposed for the stretch outside the site, with the potential for a 30mph zone. It is currently 60mph.

Cllr Phil Edwards asked if the town's gateway could be moved further out eastwards to include the development and Model Farm, which was agreed to be part of the conditions.

Concerns were raised about the proposed planning obligation agreement, where the developer contributes financially to local infrastructure.

Some councillors said more needed to be given to provide primary healthcare in the area.

But the development was praised for its proposed pedestrian and cycle links from the area towards the town.

Planning permission was granted for a site opposite- The Model Farm- in 2014 for an innovative, environmentally friendly and sustainable employment area, but work has not yet started and Mr Banks said they had not seen any progress since then.