A £25 million project to rebuild a college near Hereford could be approved by councillors next week.

RRA Architects and Herefordshire College of Technology have finalised a long-term plan to rebuild Holme Lacy campus.

The development would be phased and includes new learning, agricultural and equine facilities on a 3.5 hectare site.

But some villagers have compared the design to an industrial estate and believe the scheme will destroy their heritage.

The plan includes the demolition of Bower House, an unlisted Georgian farmhouse, to make way for parking and buildings.

Opponent Dave Gardner said 145 people had signed a petition opposing the development.

“I personally wouldn’t want to live near this because it looks like a commercial development,” said Mr Gardner.

“These people want to create a memorial to themselves, a legacy, and want to win awards by doing something grand.”

Ward member councillor Gerald Dawe said Bower House was Holme Lacy’s most important building and villagers wanted it preserved.

He added that recommendation for approval went against council policy to preserve and protect the county’s heritage.

College principal Ian Peake said the amount of square metres allocated to new-builds was dependent on the number of students.

He said Bower House was a barrier to that ratio, and called the building “completely unsuitable” for education.

Building work may not start for years, even with permission, as the college lacks funding and grants are harder to obtain.

Garry Thomas, RRA design director, claimed the scheme would benefit the county and stressed the house could not be saved.

“We looked early on at retention, conversion and a host of methods to include it but it wasn’t possible,” he said.

“We’re creating a wonderful masterplan for an agricultural college which fits Herefordshire and the region.”