A SCHEME to build more than 50 homes in the centre of Kington has been given the go-ahead after a planning appeal.

But the leader of the opposition on Herefordshire Council has made a formal complaint against the authority's planning department.

It follows the overturning of a decision by planners to refuse a proposal to build homes on land in the market town.

The planning committee defied the advice of officers and three times rejected the proposal by JRM Developments to build more than 50 homes on land between Morgans Orchard and Oxford Lane.

Included in the scheme is an allocation of 88 parking spaces and a new access road.

There are also a number of flats and an allocation of affordable housing.

After the refusal by Herefordshire planners, the developer went to appeal and won the case, which clears the way for the building to go ahead.

Terry James, a strong opponent of the scheme, is unhappy about the fact that the planners' decision was overturned by the inspector.

He has written to the council's chief executive Neil Pringle to make a formal complaint and lists areas of concern about the appeal process.

In a statement, Kington Town Council said they were dismayed by the inspector's decision to allow the development to go ahead and re-stated concerns about the impact upon traffic, education and medical services.

Herefordshire Council said it took Coun James's concerns seriously.

"An independent inspector judged the application on its planning merits and found in favour of the application," said a spokesman.

"The inspector determined the application was in keeping with the style and character of the area. He reported that at present, the site is in a run-down condition and concluded the proposed development would have an acceptable built form and layout and would respect and integrate with the character and appearance of the adjacent Conservation Area.

"He also said that the proposals would not unacceptably affect road safety or convenience."