A NEED for more two-bedroom homes on an impending development for Ledbury was expressed by county planners last week.

Herefordshire Council's planning committee met to consider a reserved matters application for the 321-home scheme on Leadon Way, which will be made up of 125 affordable units and 196 units for the open market.

Outline permission for the scheme was granted on appeal last year.

The grounds for the initial refusal were that the development would have had an unacceptable impact on the landscape but an inspector found in favour of the developer due to Herefordshire's lack of a five-year housing land supply.

Committee members heard that the scheme had not been supported by any of Ledbury's ward councillors or the parish council and that it was now a case of trying to 'make the best' out of the situation.

The site will be located on the 'urban fringe' of Ledbury, near the bypass, and, the committee heard, will represent a transition from the built-up area of the town to the countryside.

The open market units are to be constructed by two different developers. Barratt Homes sought permission to build 12 two-bedroom apartments, 13 two-bedroom homes, 45 three-bedroom homes and 46 four-bedroom homes.

David Wilson Homes would be responsible for the construction of eight two-bedroom homes, 32 three-bedroom homes, 27 four-bedroom homes and 13 five-bedroom homes.

However, among concerns about pedestrian and cycle access, cycle parking and access to the nearby roundabout, the major issue members highlighted was in relation to the mix of housing on the site.

Cllr Liz Harvey said the scheme did not offer any one-bedroom properties at all and there had been a reduction of almost two thirds of two bedroom properties while almost double the number of four-bedroom properties.

The committee was told that, under the council's current policy, which is being reviewed, it was down to the market to dictate on the mix of units.

Councillor Anthony Powers proposed an amendment that the council could approve the scheme providing all conditions outlined by the officer were met and that the number of open market 4+ bedroom units were reduced and the number of two bedroom units increased.

Committee voted in support of the amendment.