LEDBURY'S Market House was packed on Thursday evening when Barratt Homes outlined its plans for a new 321 homes estate at Leadon Way, to the south of the town.

And Bloor Homes gave details of its plans for a 625 houses estate to the north of the town, beyond the viaduct.

At a meeting of the town's economic development and planning committee, both town councillors and members of the public expressed concerns over both proposals.

There were worries about pressures on the local infrastructure, including an increase in traffic and extra demands on Ledbury's existing schools, on its dentists and health provisions, and also on its sewage system.

Access proposals for both estates were also challenged, with Barratt proposing access to the Leadon Way via a new roundabout, opposite the Martins Way access and egress, to and from the Deer Park estate.

Barrett's proposed new estate will be across the Ledbury bypass, on the other side of the road, where agricultural land exists at present.

The developer Gladman won its appeal to build 321 homes on the field south of Leadon Way last April, after Herefordshire Council initially refused its application.

Barratt "acquired the site from Gladman" in December and submitted its planning application shortly before Christmas.

There is likely to be a speed reduction to 40 mph on the approaches to the new roundabout, but town councillor, Jayne Roberts asked: "Why not 30mph, when you expect children to be crossing the road?"

Bloor Homes will seek outline planning permission for a larger estate, to the north of Ledbury bypass, and at present it is looking at a single access point, via a new roundabout, off the Bromyard Road.

A second access point, under Ledbury viaduct, has been "ruled out".

Guy Wakefield, a planning consultant acting for Bloor Homes said: "The access we are proposing is safe and suitable."

But both members of the public and town councillors were worried about a single access point to the new estate.

Cllr Crowe said: "Everyone in Ledbury knows what is going to happen on the Bromyard Road; we already have log jams, due to traffic, and an island won't cut it."

A member of the public said: "There should be at least two access points; with a blockage there could be a catastrophe. I'm thinking of an emergency entrance."

Bloor Homes pointed out that housing to the north of the bypass is part of Herefordshire Council's "Core Strategy" planning blueprint for the development of Ledbury over the next two decades.

Nick Rawlings, planning director for Bloor Homes Western said: "What we will be submitting is policy compliant".

He added: "There is requirement for access under the viaduct."

A plan for a new primary for the new estate is also not a requirement for the proposal, despite earlier suggestions, from Herefordshire Council, that a new school could be built there.

Mr Wakefield said: "Herefordshire Council has advised us that there is no requirement for a school to be provided in the site."

Ledbury people were also concerns that a restoration of part of the canal through the site, which is a required part of Core Strategy, could be a safety hazard for children and could also take an element of "planning gain" windfalls from other community projects.

More to follow.