A DEVELOPER has outlined its reasons why a decision to refuse plans for 100 homes in a village near Hereford should be overturned.

Gladman Developments appealed to the Secretary of State after being refused permission by Herefordshire Council to build the homes on land off Longworth Lane in Bartestree.

Both the local authority, represented by Andrew Byass, and Gladman, represented by Martin Carter, delivered opening statements last Tuesday as the inquiry began.

Mr Carter told planning inspector, David Wildsmith, that the council's absence of a developable five-year supply of land had 'obvious and serious consequences' for decision-making.

He said the appeal scheme would bring economic, social and environmental benefits and any harm to designated heritage assets would be outweighed by the public benefits.

Mr Byass said the council had looked carefully in particular at heritage assets, ecological and landscape matters.

Harm to heritage assets outweighed the benefits of the proposal on a 'straight-forward balancing exercise', he said.

Herefordshire Council, meanwhile, was pressed by Mr Carter on the authority's belief any development would impact on Hagley Court and its surrounding parkland.

"I acknowledge the trees will remain but trees in a manicured setting are different to those in a parkland setting," said Sarah Lowe, for the council.

"It will be turned into a suburban setting for these trees and for the Court, which is an alien concept for it.

"Your ability to appreciate Hagley Court (would be) severely diminished to the point of nothing in my view."