Controversial plans to build 44 affordable homes on the edge of Ross-on-Wye have been given the go-ahead by a government-appointed inspector.

The plans, first put forward by Gloucester-based developer E G Carter & Co in 2019, were rejected by Herefordshire Council in April last year.

The scheme is unusual in that all of the proposed one- and two-storey houses, on land known as Stoney Stile off Middleton Avenue to the southwest of the town, would be for either rental or part-ownership.

The Ross-on-Wye neighbourhood plan, approved in a local referendum in May, earmarked the site for development – but only for “around 15” dwellings, along with open space or allotments.

The much higher proposed number of homes in the developer’s proposal meant it plainly runs counter to the plan, planning inspector Philip Major said in his decision.

But against this was the lack of a five-year housing land supply in the county – which Herefordshire Council says is no longer the case – and the significant number of affordable homes the plans would bring to the area.

“Herefordshire Council’s strategic housing officer has supported the proposal, which should be seen against the reported worsening of affordability in Herefordshire,” the inspector said.

On the question of the scheme’s impact on local traffic, Mr Major said he did not expect it to cause significant additional delay or congestion, and that safe access could be ensured .

But the plans have been far from popular locally. In its submission to the inspector, the town council said the figure of 44 homes was “completely disproportionate”.

“The scale of the proposed development represents gross overdevelopment in this site, which is close to the Conservation Area and within the AONB (the Wye Valley area of outstanding natural beauty),” the town council said.

It also claimed the proposed measures to deal with traffic were inadequate, while the volume of new housing would interfere with the water supply to existing properties.

A group of around 80 residents also made their opposition to the plans known during the inspector’s inquiry.

EG Carter & Co did not respond when asked to comment.