FEARS remain that the launch of a draft version of the Neighbourhood Plan will not stop opportunistic developers from targeting Ledbury with plans for big new estates.

The launch of Ledbury's draft Neighbourhood Plan was welcomed by both members of the public and town councillors alike, at last week's full town council meeting in the Community Hall.

But concerns were voiced that it will all come too late to prevent further large scale housing development in the market town.

With public consultation and a referendum in the future, before the plan comes into full effect as regulatory planning document, there are worries that opportunistic developers will still be circling.

These fears were sharpened in June when Bovis Homes revealed plans 300 new homes off Leadon Way.

With Bloor seeking planning permission for 625 new homes to the north of Ledbury viaduct and with Barratt set to build 321 homes, also on the Leadon Way site, to the south of Ledbury, and with 100 homes earmarked for the cricket pitch, behind the Full Pitcher, the total amount of new homes could virtually double the 800 homes earmarked in Herefordshire Council's planning blueprint for the next two decades, The Core Strategy.

Speaking at last week's full town council meeting, Cllr Bob Barnes said of the draft Neighbourhood Plan, which is a 'sister' document for Core Strategy: "The community can now have a say on what is in this document. It will be on the town council website and we will hold consultation events, and it will probably be in the town council offices, for those who want to see it. This is important.

"The threat from Bovis - this will help us against that. It will eventually go to referendum, and this will become a legal document that must be consulted in any planning application for this parish."

Cllr Liz Harvey congratulated the Neighbourhood Plan team on having got the plan "to this stage of completion", and Cllr Tony Bradford congratulated the team on producing "an easy, comfortable read".

But he added: "Whether or not we can put this into practice is another matter."

Anthony Peake, of the Ledbury and District Civic Society said he remained "very concerned about the threats to Ledbury, and he added: "Developers can get so much money. Without the Neighbourhood Plan in position we'll find it hard to resist them.

"If we have a completed Neighbourhood Plan as soon as we can, we will be in a better position to say to Bovis - no, your site is not in the plan and we don't want it; - go away."

Mr Peake's views were "fully endorsed" on the night by Griff Holliday, who a was a key member of the town plan team.

The town plan was launched in May 2016, "with a clear list of objectives to maintain and improve the quality of life and services in the town".

The draft town plan, on the other hand, has sections for housing; the economy and employment and infrastructure.

No firm date has yet been given for its completion