Planning secured for 353 new homes in Leominster

Officers at Herefordshire Council have given the green light to 353 new homes in Leominster.

Persimmon Homes were successful in their reserved matters planning application, meaning they can soon commence construction on the former Barons’ Cross Camp, off Cholestry Road.

The 353-home site includes a wide range of properties for local people from two-bed to five-bed homes.

88 of the new homes will be transferred to a local housing association, helping alleviate pressure on the Council’s housing waiting list.

As part of the scheme, Persimmon has purchased phosphate credits from Herefordshire Council to unlock the development, ensuring it meets environmental regulations.

These credits, generated through the construction of an integrated wetland system in Luston, reflect an innovative approach by the Council.

Persimmon’s investment of nearly £530k in credits ensures the development is nutrient neutral, offsetting any impact and protecting the River Lugg and Wye, both recognised as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), while also enhancing local biodiversity.

Commenting on the approval, Persimmon Homes Managing Director, Lee Hawker, said:

“We are delighted to have secured planning permission from Herefordshire Council to deliver 353 new homes for local people at our new Leominster site.

“This development will deliver significant benefits and investment in the local community including new market homes for local people, and 88 affordable housing properties, which will be transferred to a local housing association for social provision.

“We are particularly grateful for Herefordshire Council's innovative approach to phosphate mitigation, which has helped unlock this site for development.

“Our substantial investment of nearly £530,000 in phosphate credits, generated through the construction of an integrated wetland system in Luston, ensures our development is nutrient neutral and enhances local biodiversity.

“I also want to recognise and thank our dedicated project team, whose hard work and commitment has been instrumental in bringing this development to fruition.

“We are proud that this development will help make the dream of homeownership a reality for local families and create a positive and lasting legacy in Leominster.”

As part of the development, Persimmon is investing significantly in the local vicinity as the region delivers a sustainable community for local people.

The scheme brings certainty to the local community with the delivery of quality new homes, while the Section 106 agreement outlines a total community benefit contribution of nearly £1.8m which includes:

•             Over £600k for education, specifically improvements at Leominster and/or Ivington Primary School.

•             £26,960 for recycling facilities.

•             £38,304 for sports facilities, with improvements planned for Bridge Street Sports Park and Earl Mortimer School to address deficiencies in football and hockey provision.

•             Over £700k for transport, focusing on traffic management and air quality improvements on the A44 and/or Leominster Southern Relief Road.

•             Around £200k for attenuation measures.

Construction will start imminently with the first homes released for sale in Spring 2025.