PLANS to demolish a farmhouse in Herefordshire have been met with resistance from local residents as they want the building to stay.

The demolition of the farmhouse is part of a wider plan by a mediation centre for 11 new buildings and 13 extensions.

Eight buildings would need to be knocked down, and 10 caravans removed, at the site in Pencoyd if the Vipassana Trust has its plans approved by Herefordshire Council.

The mediation centre, called Dhamma Dipa, said in its planning application that the extra space is needed for activities and accommodation.

The farmhouse on the site, between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye, would be one of the buildings demolished as it is "not suitable" and expensive to maintain.

Llanwarne and District Group Parish Council have discussed the application and said councillors had considered the views from local residents.

The council objects to the proposed demolition of the farmhouse due to its "historic value and interest to the local community".

The parish council is also concerned about an increase in traffic around the narrow country lanes over a prolonged period as a result of the extensive works which would be going on at the site during the development.

It also has concerns about lighting pollution to neighbouring properties as councillors said the plans were not clear about the steps which would be made to limit pollution. unclear of the steps that would be taken to mitigate the lighting pollution

The four concern of the parish council is a question raised by local residents.

The local view is that the community has been accommodating to previous changes at Dhamma Dipa, but they want to know at what point will the site reach its limit for development.

A design and access statement submitted to Herefordshire Council on behalf of applicant Yuta Fairs-Billam acknowledged planners' comments in the pre-application response that it would be regretful to lose the farmhouse and its loss would need to be justified.

"Since the pre-app, the applicant has obtained a prior approval for the demolition of the farmhouse, application reference 201430," the statement added.

"The applicant is therefore at liberty to remove the building at any time over the next five years and given that the building is not suitable, sustainable and expensive to maintain, the applicant intends to remove it.

"The council therefore should give this application weight in the determination of this application."

Herefordshire Council is yet to make a decision on the scheme, but the deadline for comments on application 204557 has passed.