THE Duchy of Cornwall has applied for planning permission for 24 homes in a south Herefordshire village.

The private estate of Princes Charles wants to build the homes on arable land it owns to the south of St Weonards.

Following the community-led design workshop facilitated by The Prince's Foundation for Building Community in March and July last year, a detailed planning application for 16 open market homes and eight affordable homes has been submitted on the five acres of land.

The Duchy estate said that at the request of Herefordshire Council, the planning application is for a single phase development of 24 homes rather than a smaller initial phase that was planned, which they said was in light of the July consultation responses.

The proposal is for 11 two-bedroom houses, 11 three-bedroom houses and two 4-bedroom houses, of which 35% will be affordable housing.

The plans include a new fenced footpath from the main site running north along the western boundary of St Weonards Primary School grounds.

Vehicular access to the site would be provided via a new priority junction with the A466 and it is suggested that the 30mph zone will be extended southwards to the edge of the proposed development.

Edge of carriageway markings will be introduced to give the visual impression of highway narrowing.

Car parking allocation to individual homes equates to 2.4 car parking spaces per dwelling for the development.

The houses will be built using local stone, render or timber boarding. Roof coverings will be slate for houses and tin roofs for garages.

No access is proposed through Mount Way and no path is proposed across the threshold of Wayfarers Cottage in response to local concerns.

If planning approval is granted they would hope to start building in one or two years time.

Head of planning at the Duchy, Nick Pollock, said: "The Duchy of Cornwall estate is pleased to be given the opportunity to provide carefully designed housing in the village that serves local needs and will help sustain local services. It is hoped that the housing scheme will help to build community."

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