PLANS for a two-bed home, which caused division in a small hamlet, have been approved.

George Mikurcik and his wife applied to build a single storey two-bed Passivhaus home at land in Aconbury, which is 500 metres to the north-east of Little Birch in south Herefordshire.

The application was refused in November 2014 because at the time it was contrary to a council policy, but the Local Plan Core Strategy has since been put in place and names Aconbury as a settlement and means it does not go against council policy.

At Herefordshire Council's planning committee Mr Mikurcik said he moved to Herefordshire nine years ago with his wife and they have been renting a cottage three fields away from the site.

He said they feel they have become part of the local community and would like to stay. He said a typical heating bill for the planned energy efficient house would be £150 a year.

Michael Leigh, objecting, said access to the land is via a road which is currently unsuitable and the new dwelling would be directly behind another house in the village, which goes against the character of a rural community.

Cllr David Harlow, who represents the ward on the county council, said he brought the application to the committee because of the strength of feeling in Aconbury.

He said: "We have a settlement of 34 homes. It has generated an enormous amount of noise for such a small place- nine in favour and 15 against."

The planning committee approved the application.

Cllr David Greenhow said: "It is a young family coming to the area some time ago and settled in. If they were going to build a big four bed house it would be different. I think it will fit in with the local area."