THREE bidders which could help deliver a proposed 'Urban Village' for Hereford have been revealed.

The bidders have been invited to submit an 'outline solution' for Herefordshire Council's regeneration plans, detailed in the adopted Core Strategy.

The plans include development opportunities across the county, an Urban Village on part of Merton Meadow car park and the Hereford Bypass – all of which are hoped to facilitate growth in the housing and job markets.

The council received a total of six initial bids for the partnership which were assessed in August 2016.

Of the six submissions, three bidders have been selected to go forward to the next stage of the process.

The successful first stage bids were received from Capita, Keepmoat and Wates Residential.

Councillor Harry Bramer, Herefordshire Council cabinet member for contracts and assets, said: "The council has ambitious plans for new housing in the county. Working with one dedicated developer ensures a strategic approach to housing development and a consistent working partnership.

"Herefordshire’s landscape will change significantly over the next several years with the regeneration of inner city land near the Old Market, the refurbishment of High Town and surrounding areas and the planned construction of the Southern Link Road which marks the first phase of the Hereford Bypass.

"This is an exciting time for the county and we need to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of new homes, which this partnership will facilitate.”

All four bidders will submit their ‘outline solution’ by October, with further ‘detailed solutions’ to be submitted by December of this year.