PERMISSION has been given to build eight homes in a village near Leominster.

The development will include three affordable houses at land opposite Old Hall in Stoke Prior.

Chairman of the Humber, Ford and Stoke Prior Group Parish Council William Jackson raised concerns about flooding, which the village suffers from.

While resident Craig Saxon said the cul-de-sac plan is at odds with the village's organic arrangement.

Helen Howie, the planning agent acting for the applicant Mike Williams, said the site is in a sustainable location and the flood risk has been addressed.

A surface water holding/ attenuation pond will be put on the site and developer contributions will go towards solving the pre-existing highway flood risk issue.

She also said: "It could be developed slowly."

Cllr Philip Edwards said the development could improve the area with regards to the flooding problems.

He said: "They would even be prepared to develop slowly."

But Cllr Jim Kenyon said: "I am a bit frustrated we never listen to the parish council. We listen to them but tend to ignore them. I think it is awful."

He said he believed the council should take note of parish's neighbourhood plans, even though they have not been formalised.

Councillors voted in favour of the outline planning application. The detail will be in the next application.