CONSULTATION started this week for Ledbury's draft Neighbourhood Plan which, when completed, will be a planning blueprint for the town over the next two decades.

Copies are now available for inspection at the town council offices in Church Lane and, on Tuesday morning, Cllr Bob Barnes, chairman of the finance and general purposes committee, was at hand to discuss the plan's key elements with any members of the public seeking information.

But what is the draft plan's overall vision?

The plan's key aim is to ensure that Ledbury remains "a vibrant, thriving community, both socially and economically".

But there is a recognition that infrastructure must be developed "in line with the rate of housing development".

The plan acknowledges that development will already far exceed the 800 new homes earmarked for Ledbury in a 'sister' plan, Herefordshire Council's Core Strategy, and that this is generally against the wishes of local residents.

The draft Neighbourhood Plan states: "There is no desire in the town for a quantum of development significantly greater than that proposed by the Core Strategy".

However, Ledbury is already set to get far more, at 1151, with land south of Leadon Way being particularly attractive for developers.

The Core Strategy made allowances for 625 homes, to the north of Ledbury viaduct, at the other end of town.

However, the draft Neighbourhood Plan does draw attention to serious housing problems faced by the young and first time buyers.

The plan states: "There are very few one bed flats and houses, and so there is a shortage of properties for first time buyers.

"There is a high rate of home ownership, at 70 per cent. Consequently there are few rental opportunities".

The plan states: "To help meet the housing market needs and the needs of the local population, a mix of building sizes,types and tenures of housing stock is required."

Under the plan new proposals for housing estates will only be supported if low cost housing can be offered in the mix.

There will be growing strain on local infrastructure and services.

Ledbury has an ageing population, with 13 per cent of the population aged 75 and over, compared with a national average of seven per cent.

And the plan states: "The number of over 85s is expected to nearly double over the plan period, with associated impacts on services".

The plan also recognises "there is an imbalance between housing and employment, with some 40 per cent of the working population commuting out of town".

The aim is to widen the employment base and attract more high-tech companies to Ledbury.

Another aim is to develop facilities and a campus in Ledbury for Hereford University, if plans for the proposed new university go ahead.

The plan states the ambition is to make Ledbury "an area of sporting excellence", and this will involve "more outdoor sports facilities as the town grows".

Another aim of the draft Neighbourhood Plan to is "cherish and nurture the town's vibrant retail core" and to "grow its reputation for markets and festivals".