COUNCILLORS have refused a planning application for 50 new homes in Marden.

Land opposite S&A Produce at Brook Farm in the village was put in the spotlight for the plan at the Herefordshire Council planning committee.

But councillors raised concerns about the close proximity to the busy fruit farm.

Rob Bartup, chairman of Marden Parish Council, told the committee that 44 ton lorries are in and out of the site all day and all night, which would have an impact on any new housing development which would bring increased traffic to an already busy lane.

He also expressed concern about the distance from the heart of the village which he said would make the development isolated.

Developers proposed to build a footpath between the development and the footpath in the village, but Cllr Bartup said there is an area between the proposed footpath and the existing one which is private.

Cllr Dave Greenhow said he supported the application because of the provision of affordable housing, which would be 35 percent of the homes.

But Cllr Alan Seldon said he would be concerned about a housing development so close to a busy business.

He said: "It would be awful if we they had to stop produce because we allowed housing next to it. That would be fine if there was no alternative... but there is a very satisfactory alternative elsewhere in Marden."

Ten councillors voted in favour of refusal and six against. The application was refused under landscaping and sustainability grounds and its lack of integration with the community.