PUBLIC money earmarked to plan for Ledbury’s future could be better spent in a time of austerity, because Herefordshire Council’s own plan will always dominate in in planning matters.

That is the view of Ledbury town councillor, Tony Bradford, who questioned why the town council has budgeted £14,000 for the Neighbourbood Plan and new Town Plan, when anything in either of the plans will have to tie in with Herefordshire’s Core Strategy, the authority’s planning blueprint for the county for the next two decades.

Coun Bradford said: “I have a lot of mixed feelings about this, because my experience of our old town plan was that it collected dust in a draw somewhere.

“If the Neighbourhood Plan or Town (Parish) Plan achieves something, then good; but my experience so far is that it’s not worth the paper it’s written on.”

He added: “My view is that the Core Strategy will dictate planning strategy in this town; but in saying that I don't want to undermine the work that people are putting in.

“If the plans bring benefits then, yes, I support them.

“But if not, the money could be better spent on other projects.

“We are facing austerity measures, and toilets are going to be closed, and £14,000 for these plans is a lot of money in a time of austerity.”

As well as funding toilets for Ledbury, Coun Bradford suggested the money could also be used to support Ledbury’s Community hospital to buy new equipment.

Coun Peter Watts, a Herefordshire councillor for Ledbury, and a town councillor, echoed Coun Bradford’s concerns.

He said: “Why are we giving money to these plans? I am concerned about this. The Neighbourhood Plan and Parish Plan will have to fall in line with Core Strategy.”

Ledbury Town Clerk, Karen Mitchell said it was town council policy to fund the plans – with £5,000 going towards the Neighbourhood Plan last year, and £2,000 towards the Parish Plan, and the same amounts are earmarked for this financial year, for a total of £14,000.

She said: "You can't produce documents like this without spending money, and the town council has agreed that this is what it wants to do.

"Everyone is entitled to their personal views, but once something becomes council policy, the decision has been made."