HEREFORDSHIRE Council says it is fighting its corner at a planning inspection to make sure the county doesn't end up with more houses than are proposed under its own planning blueprint.

But until the planning inspector reports with findings in the New Year, it is not known how successful that strategy will be.

Herefordshire Council's communications officer, Michelle Morgan, said: "The council will be using its evidence based studies to demonstrate the plan’s housing targets are appropriate, - including for Ledbury."

This follows a Herefordshire statement last week which warned the inspector could add to Herefordshire's housing total, just as happened in neighbouring Worcestershire, - where the total was raised by over 5,000 to almost 29,000.

The statement said of possible rises in Herefordshire's housing totals: "The inspector has not made that recommendation to us yet; however, it is possible that this could happen."

Herefordshire Council's planning blueprint for the next two decades calls for 800 new homes in Ledbury, with most to the north of the viaduct.

But with developers showing interest in the south of the town, Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes has expressed fears that the town's final tally could be nearer 2000.

This week, Cllr Barnes, added: "I haven't given away any state secrets. Anyone can see the proposals for Ledbury on the table, at present, add up to nearly 2,000, and that could even increase, - although highly unlikely."

Ledbury's Neighbourhood Plan Team, of which Cllr Barnes is chairman, said there was "no evidence that the Herefordshire housing target is insufficient".

However, an official statement adds: "Should the Inspector request a modification of the housing numbers during the examination process, then the Neighbourhood Plan team will consult with the community and react accordingly."

The Neighbourhood Plan must chime in Core Strategy, Herefordshire Council's planning blueprint for the next two decades, but neither have been adopted so far.

Public consultation on the Neighbour Plan's "draft options, policies and site options", will probably take place before Christmas.