THE big new estates set to be built in Ledbury could only be the tip of the iceberg, councillors have warned.

Despite Ledbury set to expand by more than 1,000 new homes, councillors are worried there could be more speculative planning applications by developers.

This is because the town's Neighbourhood Plan has not been completed and because Herefordshire Council still cannot show a "five year land supply" for Ledbury, which is land set aside for possible new development.

The concerns surfaced at a full Ledbury Town Council meeting in the Methodist Hall, attended by more than 30 people, which was called as an update on the progress of the Neighbourhood Plan.

There has already been speculation by developers.

Last April, Gladman won an appeal to build 321 homes to the south of Ledbury, on a field south of Leadon Way, after Herefordshire Council initially refused its application.

Barratt acquired the site from Gladman shortly before Christmas, and it has submitted an application to build the homes.

Speaking at this week's meeting, town and county councillor, Liz Harvey warned: "We could get another 'Gladman' when we don't have a five year land supply."

Cllr Bob Barnes, chairman of the town's economic development and planning committee said: "Everything is at risk until the five year land supply is sorted. That is the county council's responsibility."

On top of the Barratt site, Ledbury is likely to get 625 homes to the north of the viaduct, built by Bloor in accordance with Herefordshire Council's planning blueprint, The Core Strategy; and 100 new homes on the cricket pitch site, off New Street.

It was revealed at the meeting Bovis is also interested in building to the south of the town, close to the Barratt site.

The draft plan, a policy document with weight in policy making, is not likely to be ready for further public consultation by June at the earliest.

Until then, it could be difficult to protect the town's "settlement boundaries".

Meanwhile, questions have been asked about the cost of Ledbury's neighbourhood plan, in which the community can shape development in their areas, which could finally cost as much as £65,000.

According to Government advice, the average cost of a Neighbourhood Plan is "around £13,000" but the cost depends on the plan's complexity and resources and skills in the community.

Defending the budget at this week's meeting, Phillip Howells, a member of Ledbury's neighbourhood plan team said: "We have quite a complicated plan and it was "a more than reasonable budget."

Some councillors questioned the low level of public response to consultation exercises so far, with just 150 people out of a population of around 10,000 responding to the last consultation.

Town and county councillor Andrew Warmington made a plea for "more consistent communication" regarding the plan's progress, and Cllr Harvey said she was "worried about the level of detail", and asked why the cricket pitch, earmarked for 100 new homes, had been included in a neighbourhood plan consultation about green spaces in need of protection.

Sally Tagg, who has been appointed by the town council as a planning consultant for the town plan, said: "I'm not prepared to answer off the cuff. I want to give an answer that the group is happy with."

Cllr Harvey also asked why the group had put out a call for sites, last year, even before the outcome of the Gladman appeal had been reached.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker said: "The call for sites was about community land, housing and employment. It was not just about housing."