RESIDENTS' fears over the risks of culling of deer close to public property have halted a Bromyard planning proposal - for the time being, writes CATHERINE SHOVLIN.

Opposition has been strong against plans for a mobile home and new access to serve Hope Farm, at Tedstone Delamere in Bromyard.

Officers had recommended that it be approved when Herefordshire Council's northern area planning sub-committee met last Wednesday, but the councillors opted for a site visit.

The number of footpaths and dwellings in the area makes it unsafe for the shooting of deer, objectors have argued.

But the applicants states that the only shooting will be 'humane culling' of deer by a qualified person or trainee.

They also add that no butchery will be carried out on the farm, which had raised concerns of the smells and other environmental and health problems that would be created by an abattoir.

A semi-intensive calf-rearing unit with up to 140 calves and young beef animals less than one-year-old and 70 older beef cattle at any one time would be established there.

It would also include a fallow deer breeding and finishing unit and young stags and hinds made available for sale as farmed venison.

Planning officers do not agree with local people that the mobile home would have any impact on the surrounding area. They stress that the culling of deer does not need planning permission.