Colin James Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Herefordshire Councils planning committee has approved the Southern Link Road (SLR) planning application today, Monday 6 June 2016. The SLR marks the first phase of a bypass for the city and will assist in delivering new homes and jobs. The roads construction will also facilitate the implementation of active travel measures in South Wye. Plans include prohibition weight restriction on Belmont Road, shared use cycleways, new pedestrian crossings on Belmont Road and new speed restrictions in residential areas. Councillor Philip Price, cabinet member infrastructure said: Quote Todays decision is a significant move forward as it is the first step towards a long-awaited bypass. Hereford can now move towards a more financially sustainable future, with the provision of more homes and jobs. We still have far to go, but this decision is the vital first step forward and allows us to continue to develop in line with the countys emerging economic master plan. The Enterprise Zone at Rotherwas can now develop with the right infrastructure in place to support it. Although, to fully build out the Enterprise zone there is a requirement to have in place the bypass as planned; todays decision goes some way towards that aim. This is good news for business and for Hereford as a whole. The SLR is scheduled to be completed by summer 2019. The rest of the bypass will be completed when further funding can be secured from the Government. Subject to funding the bypass in its entirety will be constructed between 2022 and 2027. The council has secured £27m of Central Government funding for the SLR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenda Powell Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 I have just received a phone call from one of the people against the road, a request for a named vote was requested and agreed. 12 councillor voted for (including both South Wye Cllrs chappell and Edwards) 4 members of IOC voted against one abstained. I left the meeting at 5.20pm after sitting in the meeting since 2pm, it is my understanding the meeting went on until 7pm. When I get the named list of CLlrs and the way they voted I will post it here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippyhippy Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Hi Glenda, this information has already been added to the original thread. Alan Sheldon abstained. There are quite a few comments already about this, but they are all on Megillelands original one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin James Posted June 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 I created this decision passed today as a separate post as it is really, new headline etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippyhippy Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Evening Colin! Hope all is well with you??? Would it be worth moving the dozen or so comments across to this thread? I think folks were posting before they were aware you had started this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenknight Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 If there is to be a western bypass this quite frankly should have been the last segment to be built. It will have no benefit until such time as the road has gone across the river and to be honest with delays to construction and financial constraints a complete western bypass is but a dream until 2030. Even if this County hasn't changed by then our world is sure to have done so. As the council will now race to infill this segment with boxes it will only benefit these new residents at least until they join the queuing traffic at the respective roundabouts on each end.Let's not forget there are currently thousands of new build properties presently chugging through the planning stage none of which are relevant when considering this part of the Western Bypass. Even within my Tupsley seat those one hundred new homes planned for Hampton Dene have not kicked off as yet and its two years since the basic planning template was agreed. We need to remember the names of those that have signed off on what could be the biggest folly known to the county, until such time as a new bridge is created though we may all have given up on this mode of transport by then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Reflecting on yesterday's happenings I think in my mind 2 people connected to the Council stood out - Anthony Powers for having the foresight to declare an interest and questioning it all and very surprisingly Jon Johnson Conservative Ward Councillor for Wormside who stuck his head above the parapet and said there are alternatives he listened to his ward which incidentally covers an enormous area. Good for him no doubt he is waiting to be called to the headmasters room for his punishment. His journey into local politics will not be so easy now I suspect but he was the only Con to support Jesse Norman. It does not reflect very well that the other Con Councillors have not! The Indies were a very big disappointment and hopefully questions will be asked as to where their loyalities truly lie and some of the IOC Cllrs to my mind did not perform as I thought they would - had they all been gagged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ubique Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Two thoughts - 1. I will never drive on this road 2 . Again it will not effect me but when the 1500 houses are occupied on the Three Elms Kings Acre farm land another traffic situation will evolve - the traffic both going to the City and towards the Welsh border is very heavy now so I must presume that it can only get worse ( just returned from a lovely lunch at the Monument with my eye spy book of cars and HGVs nearly completed.!) Dippy - love your comment that appears under your posts - so true of a very caring lady . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I have copied this across from the IOC page hope they won't mind FLAWED DECISION ON SOUTHERN LINK ROAD 7 June 2016/0 Comments/in Anthony Powers, News /by PaulNeades FLAWED DECISION ON SOUTHERN LINK ROAD WILL NOT SOLVE CITY TRAFFIC PROBLEMS At Planning Committee on Monday 6 June Herefordshire Council gave itself permission to build the controversial Hereford Southern Link Road, with the votes of all Tory committee members, supported by the two Independents and the sole Liberal Democrat. The decision – which cabinet member Philip Price conceded in his speech to the meeting would be “tough for you†– goes against the requirements of the Department for Transport, conflicts with 18 core principles and policies of the National Planning Policy Framework, at least 8 policies in Herefordshire’s Core Strategy and the new Local Transport Plan which was adopted at Full Council less than 3 weeks ago. It also flies in the face of over 1,750 objections and serious concerns from numerous national bodies, local organisations, local Tory MP Jesse Norman, five parish councils, Herefordshire Council’s Conservation Officer and members of the public. There were only 9 representations of support. So It’s Our County was hardly alone in not supporting this scheme! Councillor Anthony Powers, group leader and a member of Planning Committee said: “IOC is in favour of new infrastructure for necessary development which is sustainable, able to achieve what it claims, and is good value for money. This scheme fails on all three counts. The SLR trashes the countryside and provides no congestion relief whatsoever to the city – all at a cost to the taxpayer of over £27 million. “There are sustainable solutions to the traffic problems in South Wye which can be delivered now, are easily affordable and comply with national and local policies. The council’s own data shows this costly and unnecessary new road will not solve any of the traffic problems in the city: it will simply shift some traffic from the Belmont Road to the Ross Road.†“I can’t believe council officers would ever normally recommend approval for a planning application in conflict with so many national and local policies. This application is not only about a road, but about using public money to access council-owned land for housing development. Clearly this was a ‘political’ application, the council has clear interests in the outcome, and the matter should have been decided – as IOC and others have urged – at a properly independent Public Inquiry†he added. ENDS Contact: Cllr Anthony Powers 07710 943313 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenda Powell Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Denise, two of the Independents Edwards and Chappell were always going to vote for this road, was surprised at Cllr Hardwick voting for the road though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Oh yes I forgot about him but he lives east and would not want Jesse's suggestion of an East bridge So that is 3 Indies voted for. They need sorting out Glenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenda Powell Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 The Independent leader is not happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 From Woodland Trust Herefordshire Council: Judge, jury and executionerBy Jack Taylor , 8 June 2016 , Comments: 0 Back to News & blogs New Grafton Wood is a real haven for wildlife (Photo: WTML)Share Twitter Facebook Google Plus Email What is Scrapbook? Scrapbook When the applicant for a destructive relief road proposal is also the decision-maker then you’re never left with much hope for ancient woodland. Unfortunately for the ancient woods and veteran trees south of Hereford this case was no different. On 6 June, Herefordshire Council played the part of judge, jury and executioner to a T when they approved their application for the Herefordshire Southern Link Road. Disappointed and saddenedWe are left disappointed and saddened by the outcome of the meeting, though based on the circumstances of the application we would be hard-pressed to say it was an unexpected result. The locals gave their all in helping us with our campaign, providing us with local knowledge, giving evidence on rare and important species within the woodland and keeping us updated on all current matters. We extend no end of gratitude and sympathy to those locals who fought so diligently in trying to protect the ancient woods and veteran trees south of Hereford. Perhaps the outcome would have been no different if the decision-maker wasn’t also the applicant, however it still brings to question how fair a decision can be in this situation; particularly when you consider how much is on the line for the area’s natural habitats and wildlife. What now?Unfortunately this is how democracy works when it comes to Local Highways Authority applications, which have the right to decide their own planning applications. These applications are known colloquially as‘Regulation 3’ applications. As they are permitted under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 SI 1492. But is this a true representation of a democratic process? Does the current system really allow the voice of the people to be heard? Surely local councils can’t simply place a development wherever they like, ignore the overwhelming number of objections made against their proposal, then push ahead with it anyway? Perhaps there needs to be a change in the way that matters such as this are decided on. Should applications such as this be elevated to higher authorities for a decision? These are all questions that need some thought and consideration, from both the Woodland Trust and Local Government. Thanks for your supportWe would like to thank all those who took part in the campaign and sent their objections to Herefordshire Council. While the outcome was disheartening, we were massively encouraged by the overwhelming support for our campaign – over 1200 of you registered your objection to the application. The silver lining in this case is the number of you that have shown your allegiance to protecting the ancient woodland. These numbers are certainly something to build on. We are forever looking to influence change and prevent ancient woods from being subjected to damage and loss from new development. With threats like this occurring nationwide we are asking for your support in identifying threats to ancient woodland around the UK. How about signing up with us as a threat reporter? All we ask of you is that you keep a watch over happenings in your local area and flag up any potential threats to ancient woodland to us. Once again, thanks for your support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin James Posted June 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 Herefordshire Council Capital out turn report 2015-16 has been published for the Cabinet meeting next Thursday you can find it HERE. There seem to be similar accounting errors on the Southern Link Road, already flagged up on the City Link Road, and which may have contributed to the departure of Mr Robinson the chief finance officer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megilleland Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 In the council's Performance & Budget report it lists significant corporate risks. This one is still ticking in the background and no doubt will blow up in their face, leaving us with more money to find to bail them out. Litigation IF: litigation claims against Herefordshire Council are successful THEN: this may expose the Council to significant unbudgeted costs and reputational damage. I don't think the Council's reputation can be damaged any further. It is already at an all time low and is losing respect daily with the release of more dodgy dealings like planning and finance. People are leaving or being pushed off a sinking ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twowheelsgood Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 IOC have formally requested the Secretary of State to call in the decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 For more information on Calling In https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwixyfK63ZrNAhUKDsAKHQuJD64QFggeMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fcollections%2Fplanning-applications-called-in-decisions-and-recovered-appeals&usg=AFQjCNGUo6usZqMRO_wCt2bqxw5POX9vaw&sig2=m69CBimDZjiBWTSNZ7kIAw or https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwixyfK63ZrNAhUKDsAKHQuJD64QFggrMAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thurrock.gov.uk%2Fchallenging-decisions%2Fhow-to-call-in-decision&usg=AFQjCNFKpPMeCdnoWg-gfzreARM_JDvXYw&sig2=O95X8tdHuH4RftxpNvwIng and/or https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwixyfK63ZrNAhUKDsAKHQuJD64QFgglMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thurrock.gov.uk%2Fchallenging-decisions%2Fcall-in-of-cabinet-decisions&usg=AFQjCNGmkA8pdfroRbJ84iaJ0w-JTgQt9w&sig2=gc_jy0Q-C5N6iKRPmXwpBg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twowheelsgood Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 Herefordshire Council Capital out turn report 2015-16 has been published for the Cabinet meeting next Thursday you can find it HERE. There seem to be similar accounting errors on the Southern Link Road, already flagged up on the City Link Road, and which may have contributed to the departure of Mr Robinson the chief finance officer... Hidden away in there is a proposal to look for development partners for ... housing for the Urban Village! (As well as the Rockfield Car Park - now going for housing?) Dear Lord, we were here 10 years ago, they were supposed to have built over 500 of the 800 by now - yet nothing, nada, zilch. Looks like the deal with Sanctuary is dead, if it was ever alive. In 2008 Jonathan Bretherton (remember Hereford Futures?) said “Blackfriars will be a ground breaking scheme, a community led development not one led by a private developer. Housing experts are watching its progress with interest. Importantly, it will not be a huge out of town estate, but an inner city community with all its associated shopping and leisure facilities and employment opportunities close to hand. It will create a new and more sustainable lifestyle, for those who choose to live there. Working closely with our partners, Sanctuary we will be pushing the boundaries of modern housing development, creating a great sense of community for the families who will move into the Blackfriars Urban Village.†Community led eh? Whatever happened to that concept?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 And still no official statement on Robinson that will most certainly bite them on the bum Anyway another organisation not impressed with the decision Newly approved Hereford road ‘will do nothing to solve congestion’ 6 June 2016 Responding to the decision by Herefordshire Council today to push through plans to build the controversial two and a half mile long Southern Link Road, linking up the A49 and A465, Bridget Fox from Campaign for Better Transport said: “This is a bad decision which flies in the face of long-standing local opposition. The Hereford Southern Link Road will do nothing to solve congestion in the city centre. As other areas have found, new roads simply attract new traffic at great cost to both the public purse and the environment - in this case it will destroy ancient woodland and is already running over its £27 million budget. “Nor will the road provide people with genuine alternatives to the car as investment in better bus and rail services and safe walking and cycle routes, which was promised as part of the scheme funding, is nowhere to be seen. "We now look to the Department for Transport and the Planning Inspectorate to overturn this ill-conceived plan and for local planners to work with the community on a truly sustainable solution." ENDS For further information please contact Alice Ridley on 020 7566 6495 / 07984 773 468 oralice.ridley@bettertransport.org.uk Notes to Editors 1. Campaign for Better Transport is the UK's leading authority on sustainable transport. We champion transport solutions that improve people's lives and reduce environmental damage. Our campaigns push innovative, practical policies at local and national levels. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929). Jesse Norman despite having written at least 2 letters of objection has remained exceedingly silent since Monday. No doubt CPRE will be commenting in due course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian symonds Posted June 10, 2016 Report Share Posted June 10, 2016 This road built or not will make little difference to me if any as I do not drive and I do not live that side of the river. But I will have my say. This SLR like the city link road is nothing to do about congestion, they will not do anything what so ever to lessen the traffic in fact they will make it worse. What this is about is building more houses so the council can get more money into their pockets via council tax. it will not create more jobs, that is a load of bull from the council as normal. What we will have is a over populated city that do not have the infrastructure to cope, there are no jobs, the Hospital can not cope with the population as it is, there are no shops, if you think the Old market is great then take the blinkers off, it is the same stuff as any other city, there is nothing in Hereford that other cities do not have. Even our swimming pool don't have diving boards now, I am shocked we still have a swimming pool. We have burnt out shops in the city centre which is being rebuilt by a company that have the same name in as the company that went bankrupt as far as I can see, if they are ever rebuilt and it have taken years to do that. The council do not give two hoots about any of us, they really don't they say they care about jobs and yet do compulsory purchase on premises where jobs are lost, well done Herefordshire council, you really are a load of, i won't say it, it is too explicit for this forum. you do not listen, you grab as much money as you can from us but you never listen to a word, we all knew what the outcome of the planning permission would be for the SLR, you did not need to sit down for a four hour meeting as you all made up your mind. Well I hope you will be happy when Hereford dies a death, not that it is really living anyway, Plenty of people I know, certainly the younger ones can not wait to get out of here and to be honest if I was younger in better health I would be gone, because there is nothing here. Disagree all you like on here, I know that people who are on this forum seems to be unable to accept any criticism of Hereford, I really do not care. Hereford used to be a lovely city, but politicians have spoiled it, but that is normal for politicians, It is a wful city now, boring, filthy, smelly and to be honest I can see why people leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted June 10, 2016 Report Share Posted June 10, 2016 I absolutely agree with you Adrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Call for Hereford Link Road Rethink We've written to Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, asking him to call in Herefordshire Council’s decision to approve the controversial Hereford Southern Link Road. In his letter to the Secretary of State, Campaign for Better Transport's Stephen Joseph set out the many grounds on which we objected to the link road, not least that it is a waste of public money, creating a lot of harm for little or no benefit. In addition it will result in considerable loss of best and most versatile agricultural land, lead to the loss of ancient woodland and destroy an Iron Age settlement, and increase pollution, yet do very little to relieve traffic in Hereford, given that only 15% is through traffic. There are positive alternatives to the new road: "... other more sustainable and less damaging alternatives to a new road were not properly considered. Given that 85% of all traffic is heading into Hereford itself and not through it, there should be plenty of opportunities to reduce this through a series of measures to improve the infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. In doing so, this is likely to make the centre of Hereford a more attractive place which would strengthen the local economy." Its clear that the Link Road conflicts with the National Planning Policy Framework principle to “actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling, and focus significant development in locations which are or can be made sustainableâ€. The full letter is attached below. Campaign for Better Transport is just one of many groups objecting to the Hereford Southern Link Road, alongside Natural England, Historic England, the county Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trustas well as local groups Here for Hereford, Hereford Transport Alliance and the local MP. Meanwhile at the same time as Herefordshire is under fire for approving this damaging road, the council is also cutting vital local buses. All this from a Council that sets as its goal to "work together within an outstanding natural environment, bringing about sustainable prosperity and wellbeing for all." PDF files: Our letter requesting call-in for the Hereford Southern Link Road Printer-friendly version Related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragwert Posted June 16, 2016 Report Share Posted June 16, 2016 Call for Hereford Link Road Rethink We've written to Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, asking him to call in Herefordshire Council’s decision to approve the controversial Hereford Southern Link Road. In his letter to the Secretary of State, Campaign for Better Transport's Stephen Joseph set out the many grounds on which we objected to the link road, not least that it is a waste of public money, creating a lot of harm for little or no benefit. In addition it will result in considerable loss of best and most versatile agricultural land, lead to the loss of ancient woodland and destroy an Iron Age settlement, and increase pollution, yet do very little to relieve traffic in Hereford, given that only 15% is through traffic. There are positive alternatives to the new road: "... other more sustainable and less damaging alternatives to a new road were not properly considered. Given that 85% of all traffic is heading into Hereford itself and not through it, there should be plenty of opportunities to reduce this through a series of measures to improve the infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. In doing so, this is likely to make the centre of Hereford a more attractive place which would strengthen the local economy." Its clear that the Link Road conflicts with the National Planning Policy Framework principle to “actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling, and focus significant development in locations which are or can be made sustainableâ€. The full letter is attached below. Campaign for Better Transport is just one of many groups objecting to the Hereford Southern Link Road, alongside Natural England, Historic England, the county Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trustas well as local groups Here for Hereford, Hereford Transport Alliance and the local MP. Meanwhile at the same time as Herefordshire is under fire for approving this damaging road, the council is also cutting vital local buses. All this from a Council that sets as its goal to "work together within an outstanding natural environment, bringing about sustainable prosperity and wellbeing for all." PDF files: Our letter requesting call-in for the Hereford Southern Link Road Printer-friendly version Related Sorry Denise but all I'm hearing is this.... “contribute to conserving and enhancing the natural environment and reducing pollution…†“actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling.Where are the plans or ideas on reducing and improving traffic and its flow through the City? Making the fullest possible use of public transport walking and here we go again cycling WILL NOT reduce any traffic in and around the City. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie May Posted October 19, 2016 Report Share Posted October 19, 2016 I have heard that there is going to be a demonstration outside the Shirehall 1pm tomorrow 20th October as Herefordshire Council, just a week after approving cuts to our library services is agreeing to spend £1million on purchasing the land that the Southern Link Road will go through. A friend of mine thinks she will be affected. What she is also concerned about is that the Council might be looking to buy more land under compulsory powers than the Southern Link Road goes through. How can the Council Compulsorily purchase land that the road doesn't directly affect? I thought the Southern link Road was a lot longer than the new Link road they are building in Hereford. I understand that buying land for the City Link road has already cost over £7million so how come the land the Council are buying in South Wye will cost just £1million? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted October 20, 2016 Report Share Posted October 20, 2016 The difference is probably whether the land is being bought as agricultural land or land with development potential. Mind you as we all know HC are not best at getting their sums right especially when it comes to costs of road building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamski Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Dare we even hope??? This from the BBC's news website this morning: An extra £1.3bn is to be spent on improvingBritain's roads, Chancellor Philip Hammondwill say in his first Autumn Statement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamski Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Dare we even hope??? This from the BBC's news website this morning: An extra £1.3bn is to be spent on improvingBritain's roads, Chancellor Philip Hammondwill say in his first Autumn Statement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamski Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Most of the money will be for cutting congestion and upgrades to local roads and public transport networks. I saw this on the BBC and thought you should see it: Autumn Statement: £1.3bn to target congestion roads - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38041466 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Lloyd Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 For building new roads or mending the pot holes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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