WORK on the stalled Hawk Rise development in Ledbury is not a sign that the full estate will be built at any time soon.

Developer Barratt Homes says work has taken place recently on the shells of three partially completed houses, purely because of safety considerations.

Large scale work stopped last August, after Meadow Cheese successfully launched a judicial review following concerns that the developers had not paid enough attention to the problem of noise from the factory.

Until this problem is resolved, Barratt Homes does not have permission to resume building its new estate at Leadon Way.

A spokesman for Barratt Homes West Midlands said: “In order to ensure that the partially complete homes comply with our own health and safety requirements, we are carrying out limited work to the outer shells.

“Once the outer shells of these three homes have been made safe, no further works will be carried out until we have received approval on a revised planning application.”

The application that was rejected in High Court was for 321 homes, but a revised plan from Barratt is for 247.

Speaking in October, a spokesman for Herefordshire Council, which will make a decision on Barratt's revised application, said “The local planning authority will re-determine the application, taking into account any updated supporting noise information.

"Through this process the council will re-consult and form a view as to whether or not the noise, in relation to those dwellings affected, can be mitigated to an acceptable level.”