PEOPLE in Ross-on-Wye fear plans to build 46 homes near a school could worsen a local ‘death trap’.

Applicant Matt Vye wants to demolish stable outbuildings on land off Middleton Avenue and fill the site with new houses.

The proposal includes 22 three-bed homes, 15 two-beds, three four-beds, four flats and a couple of bungalows.

But several residents say the extra traffic would be a danger to children attending the nearby Ashfield Park Primary School.

Geoff Healey, who lives nearby, said it was beyond belief that residents had to even object to the proposals as the access would be extremely dangerous.

“The traffic in Middleton Avenue is single file at the best of times but at school collecting times there are cars parked everywhere,” he said.

“This spills into Archenfield Road which is a death trap with all the traffic cars, lorries, farm vehicles.

“What has to happen for anyone to take notice, a child getting hurt or worse?”

Fellow objector Philip Angus raised similar concerns over road safety.

“Additional traffic will only serve to exacerbate this congestion, to the extent that it will represent a major road safety hazard,” he said.

“Serious injury to, or the death of a child is wholly unacceptable.

“On this issue alone, this planning application must be rejected.”

Many residents also say the scheme would lead to the loss of valued green space, it would impact on the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

They believe it would also cause a noise nuisance and pollution.

However, architects working on the scheme say it complies with planning policy and would provide a significant contribution towards Herefordshire Council’s local plan and core strategy.

Residents have until November 7 to comment on the proposals which county council planners are expected to consider by January 6, 2020.