THE Ledbury couple who have threatened to move if a proposed housing development gets the go-ahead have collected an 80-name petition against the new homes.

Duncan and Linda Isaacs fear they will be overlooked and hemmed in by the 11 new homes off Albert Road.

Mr Isaacs said: "I collected 80 signatures with only one refusal. Everyone that signed was wholeheartedly very much against the proposed planning application.

"Residents are totally dismayed, angry and cannot believe that the developer, Rural Homes, has yet again not understood that this over-development is out of character and is absolutely wrong in an historic Victoria road."

The petition will be handed to Herefordshire Council, which rejected an earlier plan by Rural Homes for the site and saw its decision upheld on appeal last summer.

The original plan was for two existing properties to be demolished and for 12 new homes and access road to be built off Albert Road.

A government inspector ruled that this was "excessive" development.

In its latest application, Rural Homes has reduced the number of houses by one.

Ledbury mayor Keith Francis, who lives in Albert Road, refused to sign the Isaacs' petition because of his position.

But he said: "The petition shows the strength of feeling by people who feel that a Victorian streetscape is threatened by infill."

No date has yet been given for Herefordshire Council to consider the latest planning application. However, all representations, including any from Ledbury Town Council, must be in by early April.

Rural Homes spokesman Barry Connally has already stated that he is "optimistic" that planning permission will be grated this time and that building work will start this summer.