BROMYARD mayor Roger Page has blasted Herefordshire Council for not defending its decision to reject 625 homes in Ledbury.

The county council’s planning committee rejected a scheme to develop the land north of the viaduct over access concerns.

But applicant Bloor Homes then appealed this decision and now a planning inquiry is expected to rule on the decision.

However, the council is withdrawing its reasons for refusal to limit the costs they may incur for defending and losing the case.

Councillor Page said “What’s the point of a democratic planning committee when non elected officials can in effect over rule the committee by not defending its decision by refusing to defend the refusal of the application at appeal. Put simply they have a duty to do so.

“We in Bromyard were told twice in the last few years that appeals would succeed but we took expert and legal opinion and won both, no thanks to planning officers, elected members decide and officers carry out the decisions, there is a perfectly good case to oppose the appeal. The leader of the council should step in and defend the democracy of the council.”

Meanwhile, Ledbury town council has called an emergency parish meeting to discuss their work on making third party submissions at the inquiry. The meeting will be at the Feathers Hotel on March 23 at 6.30pm and is open to the public.

A town council spokeswoman said councillors also agreed that the council would take up Rule 6 Status in the inquiry and would seek a delay on the start of the inquiry to allow them more time to work on their case so as not to be at a disadvantage at the inquiry.

“An application for Rule 6 status will now be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and a working party will be set up to put a case together,” she said.

“Council would welcome residents or experts to join this working party to ensure that the council offers the best defence possible.

“Due to the nature of the Rule 6 Status, Council will be appointing a solicitor and barrister to assist the Council in the preparation of the written evidence required by the inquiry process and to this end Council has identified and set aside appropriate funds for this purpose.”

Anyone seeking further information or would like to attend the working party or parish meeting is asked to contact the town clerk in writing, by email at clerk@ledburytowncouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01531 632306.