A LINK road must be built before any development takes place in Leominster.

That is the one of the key policies outlined in the Leominster Area Neighbourhood Plan (LANP), which has now been officially approved by the town council.

Herefordshire Council's core strategy plan for Leominster proposes an 'urban extension' of around 1,500 new homes on land to the south of the town up to the year 2031.

But the LANP states that a new road – linking the A44 at Barons’ Cross and the A49 south east of the town – is 'a priority' and that the complete route should be in place before any development begins.

The road would reduce congestion on the A44 and lower pollution, particularly at Bargates which has been below legal standards for some years, according to the plan.

And once open, as part of a comprehensive traffic management plan, heavy goods vehicle traffic should be prevented from using the old route through town, or alternative routes, except for access.

The plan states that the link road would have have a 50mph speed limit and should provide cycle and pedestrian routes across it.

The LANP project started in 2011 and a series of public consultations to develop the themes of the plan were held in 2012.

The plan had to reflect the emerging core strategy which had designated a total of 2,300 new homes for Leominster between 2011 and 2031.

A draft plan was developed by August 2014 and a formal three-month consultation was held in December 2014 following the completion of the environmental assessment carried out by Herefordshire Council.

A final version was then developed and sent out to all members of the town council who unanimously resolved to approve and adopt it at a meeting last month.

It will be submitted to Herefordshire Council for consultation last this year and will be followed by a formal inspection and a referendum.

Visit leominsterplan.org to read the full list of policies outlined in the plan.