Plans to demolish two houses in a Ledbury street and build 12 new homes have led to fears that existing traffic problems could be made worse.

Rural Homes is seeking consent from Herefordshire Council to knock down numbers 26 and 28 Albert Road and build two, three and four-bedroom Victorian-style houses, in keeping with nearby properties.

However, Albert Road residents are concerned that parking problems and traffic pressure, already causing difficulties on a street with no pavements, will increase if the council approves the proposals.

Deputy mayor Keith Francis, who lives in Albert Road, said: "I don't think the road could take it. It would be horrific and I'm sure there will be a lot of protests.

"It would spoil an attractive street with a great variety of buildings, and how many extra cars will be trying to gain access on to Albert Road?"

Former mayoress Sue Bettington, who also lives on Albert Road, said: "It's a shock and I'm not too impressed. The impact will mean more traffic and the road is bad enough as it is.

"Then there is the building work and the lorries to consider. It will be terrible. It seems that every acre of available space is to be built on."

Fellow resident Norman Selkirk agreed the development would add to traffic problems.

He said: "When I came here 21 years ago, it was so much quieter."

Debbie Crowley, an agent for Rural Homes, pointed out the bungalows earmarked for demolition were modern and that the replacement homes would be in keeping with much of the rest of the Victorian street.

She said that the front of the development would feature two pairs of semi-detached houses and a terrace of three homes. An access road would lead to a further five detached houses.

"We need planning permission first but hope to start building in the summer," she said.

Although it is not in the current plan, Rural Homes is also planning to introduce Victorian-style street lighting on Albert Road.