AN informal hearing starts next week following a developer appeal to build up to 70 new homes in Shipston.

Banner Homes (Midlands) Limited is hoping to build 25 affordable and 45 open market homes along with public open space and landscaping on land south of Campden Road and West Of Oldbutt Road.

The plans were thrown out by Stratford District Council's Planning Committee (East) in April on the grounds the development would result in significant and demonstrable harm to the landscape character and the visual amenity of the area and would result in an over development of the site.

Mayor Philip Vial said the town council opposed the application, said: "The town council opposed the application primarily because of its location and also the number of homes with the outline applications in at the moment.

"We feel the numbers of homes are far in excess of what Shipston needs."

The informal two-day hearing will be held at the Council Offices, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford at 10am and will be presided over by Government Planning Inspector.

Members of the public may attend the informal hearing and express their view – at the discretion of the inspector.