IT was a victorious moment for Leintwardine residents as a 45-home development in their village was refused by councillors.

The Herefordshire Council planning committee voted to refuse the development off Rosemary Lane on the grounds of sustainability issues and the effect it would have on the historic settlement.

The mix of two-to-three bedroom homes was recommended for approval by planning officers, due to the land being assessed as having low/minor constraints and the council not being able to demonstrate a five year supply of housing land.

But councillors went against the recommendation and said it was time to listen to the locals- there were 198 objections to the development and a petition with 373 signatures.

Cllr Dave Greenhow said: "We must listen to what the locals want and what they need in their area."

Objections included concern about the access off Rosemary Lane, which is a narrow country road; worries about flooding, and the impact it would have on the area's character.

There were also objections on the grounds it would affect the historic hill top setting and the setting of the Roman Scheduled Monument of Bravinium.

Louise Steele, from Framptons acting on behalf of the developers, L W D Developments LLP, said the new homes would be an efficient use of the site.

She said they had reduced the size from 63 to 45 homes, which were in walking distance of the village amenities.

But Cllr Sebastian Bowen said it would be a "blot on the landscape" and said the school was already full.

Cllr Adrian Blackshaw said: "It is very powerful to witness a community in full flow and to see a public gallery as full as it is."

Cllr Philip Edwards said: "It does not make sustainable sense to me to be approving quite a large number of houses so far away from main services."

And Cllr Jim Kenyon said he is fed up with hearing the reason to approve planning applications as not having a five year plan in place.

He said: "We need to roll up our sleeves and say to developers we don't want rampant development in Herefordshire."

Cllr Jon Norris said he believes the village should grow naturally and organically and the development is too big for the village.

He finished with a tongue-in-cheek comment: "May the core strategy deliver us from evil, forever and ever, amen."

It was refused on the grounds of sustainability and the impact on the historical settlement.