PLANS to build up to 90 homes were approved in Marden with praise given for the quality of the design.

The site proposes to be 35 percent affordable housing and lies between the primary school and New House Farm.

The development field is opposite the village shop and post office, with bus stops adjacent. The developers would also give land to the parish council for a new community centre and village green.

At Herefordshire Council planning committee today Sandra Gladwyn from the Marden Parish Council said the site was the preferred site in the village for development as it is at the heart of the village.

Applicant Andrew Price said he is the fourth generation of farmers in his family in the village and he wanted to ensure the development is sustainable.

Cllr Phil Edwards said: “It is a privilege to be part of judge and jury to a planning application for a fair number of houses, 90, in a rural village in Herefordshire, albeit one of the bigger ones, where there appears to be general agreement, if not everyone agreeing, this is the preferred site.”

Cllr Felicity Norman said she was pleased to see a proposed scheme which had high energy efficient standards. She said she wanted to see the promises carried out when it came to planning the details of the development.

Cllr Jim Kenyon said: “It looks brilliant to me. It feels like they are not just going to build houses but they are building a community. To me, this gives me a nice warm feeling, which is very important to me.”

There were no highways issues raised and there will be pedestrian access. The density proposed is 18 homes per hectare.

The planning approval was for the principal of development on the site. The reserved matters will be discussed between the applicant, the parish council and Herefordshire Council planning officers.