A developer behind plans for new homes off Albert Road says he is so sure it would improve the Victorian street, he wants to move there himself.

His comments follow a site visit on Tuesday, at which Herefordshire councillors and officers were greeted by 20 residents, some waving placards, protesting at plans for 12 homes and an access road.

Barry Connally, director of Rural Homes, believes residents made a special effort to create a negative impression about the street's parking problems. He said: "At 10am on Tuesday, there were 30 vehicles parked there. On Wednesday, I counted eight or nine. I would not put forward a scheme that exacerbates car parking problems. For the houses we are trying to build, 100 per cent of those cars will be parked off Albert Road.

"I'm enhancing the street. People living there will have the value of their homes increased. I'm going to move there myself."

The new homes would be built on a site currently occupied by numbers 26 and 28.

The deputy mayor of Ledbury, Coun Keith Francis, who lives in Albert Road, denied that residents had carried out strategic parking before the site visit.

He added: "At one point, two commercial vehicles blocked the road, and one had to reverse backwards to get out. This is a test case. If Herefordshire Council gives permission for this proposal, then anything will go through."

The planning application is expected to be considered by the council at a planning committee meeting on April 30.