PLANS have been approved for 64 new homes in a county village despite safety concerns over access to the site.

Beechcroft Land Ltd and Crawford Richard Perkins wanted permission to build the homes – 35% of which would be affordable – on land to the west of Church House farm in Moreton-on-Lugg.

But Herefordshire Council's planning committee heard residents had concerns about the proposed access to the site from a junction from the south-side of the main village road.

Cllr Guthrie said: "It seems to be in the wrong place and could prove to be dangerous. Concerns have been raised by local residents about vehicles not following the bend in the road and driving in a straight line and on the wrong side of the road.

"That section of the road has problems with speeding traffic and poor visibility. Traffic calming would help to improve this situation."

Concerns were also raised that an increase in vehicles entering and exiting the village from the busy A49 could make the junction 'even more hazardous'.

Councillor Kema Guthrie, ward member, said: "The junction is already subject to high traffic flows and vehicles often travel at a speed.

"That area of the A49 is dangerous. There have been fatal accidents along that section of road between the village junction and Moreton Business Park."

Members of the committee were also told there were concerns that the sewerage system in the village would be unable to cope with added volume, though no objection had been raised by Welsh Water.

Guy Wakefield, agent for the applicant, said: "We have engaged extensively with officers and the parish council and other consultees.

"The parish council do not formally object but do raise a number of technical considerations but there are not any formal objections from any statutory bodies.

"The points raised by the parish council have been given serious consideration by the applicant's technical team,such as to move the access in line with St Andrews Close,but the proposed access does comply with regulations."

He added that the proposal made efficient use of the site whilst considering its relationship with the surrounding countryside.

Nine councillors voted in favour of the scheme, two abstained and two refused. The application was carried.