More affordable housing, safeguarded sports facilities and protected land for employment were just some of the issues raised at a lively parish meeting in Ledbury.
Around 80 people turned out to attend the meeting, which was held at John Masefield High School and organised by Ledbury Town Council.
The council called the meeting to allow residents to speak out in response to Herefordshire Council’s ‘preferred option’ for planning strategy in the town until 2026.
The town council has put forward a number of amendments to the plan, preferring a total of 500 new homes for the town instead of the proposed 800.
Councillors also advocate increased provision for car parking, a new library and an improved railway station.
They also want a total 40 per cent of the new homes to be affordable.
One resident, Melissa Morris, said that a lack of affordable homes in Ledbury was not helped by ‘ridiculous’ house prices.
“There is an incredible lack of affordable housing,” she said.
“It’s nearly impossible for a young person to buy a house in Ledbury.”
Herefordshire Council’s plan proposes the vast majority of new housing to be situated immediately north of Ledbury, near the town’s viaduct.
Concerns about vehicle access were expressed as they were about securing land for employment which has been proposed for the Little Marcle Road area.
There were fears also about the plan for a second primary school, with detractors saying it would create a gulf in education standards.
Chris Johnson, vice-chairman of Ledbury Civic Society, proposed having an infant and a middle school instead of two primary schools.
He said: “That way all of the children in Ledbury go to the same school throughout their career and you don’t get this dichotomy between a good and bad school.”
Mr Johnson also spoke out against an out of town retail development, saying they would kill independent shops in the town.
But a passionate address from former Herefordshire Councillor Don Rule and Ledbury Football Club chairman Andy Kibble focused attention on protecting sports facilities in the town.
Mr Rule said: “One of the things that is absolutely crucial here is the vulnerability of our football and cricket grounds. This is a repeat of a situation that has occurred several times.
We need to do something seriously about it.”
He added: “The situation with regard to sports and recreation is trying. It’s time something was done really done about it. This seems to be the right time to start a really big campaign.”
“There is a lot of history at Ledbury Town Football Club,” added Mr Kibble. “For our future generations we need to maintain our recreation facilities in Ledbury.”
The town council will discuss the matter at a special meeting later this month, after which it will put forward a revised submission to Herefordshire Council.