A PLANNING application was recently submitted to Herefordshire Council for change of use of two redundant staff flats adjoining The Red Lion Hotel in Weobley into two open market dwellings (a two-bedroom flat and a one one-bedroom flat).

I am a Weobley boy, born and raised, and it is my greatest hope to return with my wife to the village that I love. Thus far we have been totally unable to afford a property there.

When we saw the planning application in the Hereford Times, our hearts raced in anticipation that at long last we might just be able to sink our hard-earned deposit into one of these hopefully affordable flats.

Alas, the chairman of Weobley Parish Council, Lorraine Anderson, has written to the planning officer suggesting that the long-empty accommodation should be retained as staff accommodation, just in case it is ever needed for that purpose.

Are the parish council aware that the property to which the application relates was once a separate dwelling occupied by a friend of my grandmother? It was subsequently acquired by The Red Lion for its current purpose.

No doubt members of the parish council, most of whom are incomers to the village, would not understand the plight of a son of Weobley desperate to get back to his roots.

Housing for the less well off is essential and I hope that the planners make the right decision, in spite of the unfounded objection from parish council.

T WILLIAMS Ross-on-Wye