HEREFORD councillors have blasted one of Britain’s largest housebuilding firms for not acknowledging climate change in their plans for up to 300 homes south of the city.

Taylor Wimpey UK, who build and sell more than 10,000 homes each year, have set their sights on land north and south of Grafton lane.

But Hereford city councillors said the High Wycombe-based company told them that they would not include environmentally friendly measures such as electric charging points, solar panels and more energy efficient heating in the scheme.

“We had a presentation from Taylor Wimpey who are proposing a substantial development of nearly 300 homes at Grafton,” councillor Polly Andrews told Hereford City Council’s meeting.

“I felt it was quite depressing, I think other members of the committee listening to them would agree with me.

“They seemed to make no acknowledgement of climate change.”

Coun Andrews said that councillors had asked if they would be putting in electric charging points, solar panels and more energy efficient heating.

“The answer came, no they would not,” she said.

“I only hope they took notice of our comments and when the substantive application comes before the main planning committee at county council that some acknowledgement of these comments are made.

“It was really quite depressing that they did not seem to appreciate the world has moved on.”

Mayor Kath Hey said she was really concerned and asked for the town clerk to write to the firm on the council’s behalf.

Taylor Wimpey’s proposals for Grafton lane include affordable homes, green space and play and recreation areas.

The scheme would also see a new access created from the A49 Ross road.

Architects working on the plans say the proposals for the more than 32 acre site comply with the council’s core strategy and national planning policies.

A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said: “We have submitted an outline planning application for land off Grafton Lane which seeks to establish the general principle of residential development on the site.

"Should the application be approved, a further planning application will be prepared to deal with detailed matters such as environmental aspects.

"We will continue to work closely with the local authority and we will consult the community on any future proposals for this site. As always, we are happy to discuss such matters with the City Council at the appropriate time."

Residents can view the plans on Herefordshire Council's website.