A PLANNING inquiry on a proposed 625-home estate in Ledbury could take place online due to coronavirus.

Bloor Homes appealed against Herefordshire Council's decision to reject its planning application for land off the Bromyard Road, north of the viaduct, so a government planning inspector will have the final say.

Due to the social distancing restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the planning inspector wants to hold the inquiry via video and conference call.

A Ledbury Town Council spokesman said: "We put an argument forward against using technology for the inquiry on the grounds that this had the potential to exclude third parties from fully participating."

The spokesman said it was agreed that some topics could be dealt with via written evidence. A decision on whether the inquiry will be heard via online platforms is yet to be made by the inspector. A date for the inquiry has not yet been set.