BROMYARD Town Council has been criticised for "an extraordinary waste of taxpayers' money".

Herefordshire councillor Bernard Hunt is critical of the town's decision to seek to employ a planning consultant to represent it at an inquiry into the county's Unitary Draft Plan in February.

The plan is a blueprint for industrial and residential development in Herefordshire until 2011.

Coun David Cave said: "It's important because most of the present members of the town council are not used to standing up for cross-examination at a planning inquiry or planning hearing."

The council made a number of objections to the revised draft of the plan, released earlier this year, in particular to a proposal to build 87 houses and prevent further industrial development on the Porthouse Industrial Estate.

Objections were also raised to the deletion from the draft plan of a relief road to link the A44 bypass to the industrial estate and the lack of provision of additional car parks in the town centre.

Coun Hunt said: "What an extraordinary waste of taxpayers' money and all to try and prevent the building of 80 houses and live and work units, with free town council offices, a youth centre and car park to be donated by the developer.

"The UDP proposals would mean an economic shot in the arm for Bromyard but the town council prefers to waste thousands trying to prevent it," he added.

The council will meet next week to consider the cost of a consultant.