GOLDEN Valley residents hope to challenge Herefordshire Council’s decision to allow a local farm to expand over fears it will damage the environment.

The council’s planning committee approved a scheme for a new livestock shed and to expand an existing building at the Farmstead, south east of Bage Court in Dorstone in June.

The parish council supported the scheme but some 22 people objected to it.

However, despite calls by ward councillor Jennie Hewitt for a site visit and water run-off study, the committee approved the scheme by 13 votes to two.

Local residents say the decision failed to consider the environmental and ecological impacts of the development on the River Dore which is a tributary of the Monnow and falls within the River Wye Special Area of Conservation catchment.

They say the rivers are already severely ecologically stressed, in large part because of pollution from intensive poultry and livestock farming and this scheme would add to the problem.

The residents, who are supported by Golden Valley Action Group, are hoping to raise £25,000 to pay for legal advice to mount a judicial review of the planning decision.

“There has been a long history of successful community opposition to intensive agricultural developments at this farm,” the campaigners’ crowdfunding page says.

“The planning committee failed to consider the cumulative effect of shed development at this location.

“The new application to erect another large shed on the site, which is already densely populated with large livestock buildings, must be considered as a further attempt to develop intensive livestock farming by stealth at this farm.

“Moreover, this case is happening at the entrance to the Golden Valley, where the water courses feed into the iconic River Wye.

“Algal bloom from agricultural run-off has significantly altered the ecology of the SAC.

“In the first instance we are trying to protect our rivers and wildlife.

“But this is also an issue about the planning process, and about every council’s legal duty to act lawfully.

“A council cannot be allowed to ignore the Habitats Regulations and its own environmental policies.

“This case is of huge importance to everyone who cares about our natural environment and protecting it from bad decision-making.”

The council has been approached for comment.