BBC Crimewatch tonight at 9pm.

The senior investigating officer (SIO) of the investigation, DCI Leighton Harding, said:

#speakupforchristian

Yesterday on my travels I noticed not one not two but three vehicles clamped and stamped by the DVLA for tax evasion - this was South Side only. One chappy looked rather miffed that his 16 plate was clamped right outside the school. Well done DVLA. This should become a weekly occurrence.

I'd be more p******ed at the sticker they slap on the windscreen - damn it makes a mess!!!

Planning submitted for apartments on the site of the former Sportsman Pub on Widemarsh Common.

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Construction of a single three storey residential building containing 6 no. bedroom apartments, together with associated infrastructure and access, new car parking, bin and cycle storage facilities and landscaped amenity space.

Planning Number P192344/F

 I notice that the Hereford Times website if offline yet again, it has been down for several hours. It was offline a few weeks ago too, very odd, you would think a website like that would be more rigid and reliable

A multi-million-pound government policy to boost job creation has failed to deliver, research has revealed.

In 2011, the government announced "enterprise zones" in England to try to improve economic growth, forecasting 54,000 new jobs between 2012 and 2015.

But BBC-commissioned research found by 2017 only 17,307 jobs had been created in 24 zones around England - and in two areas the number of jobs had fallen.

The government said it had created 38,000 jobs since 2012.

Enterprise zones offered cheaper business rates, super-fast broadband and lower levels of planning control.

The research, which was conducted by think tank charity Centre for Cities using data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed the number of jobs created fell short by nearly three-quarters of the amount predicted in the government's initial announcement in 2011.

The figure for Hereford was only 146 jobs. It's created more jobs for those involved in planning, building and promoting the site than actually working there.

The scaffolding erected at the Town Hall in Hereford in December 2015 was finally removed today after almost three and a half years! 

The entrance canopy has undergone extensive repair work as it had settled by approximately 50mm and required additional strengthening steel rods to be placed in order to give additional support and a large part of the canopy has been completely replaced together with remedial terracotta and stone work.

There is still some cleaning to be done to complete the project but this fine iconic Hereford building is almost back to its former glory.

Huge story from over the pond with the re arrest of Jeffery Epstein. He was the billionaire who had a private island getaway. Where he used to fly in v v v famous people on his private jet the Lolita express. Names such as Bill Clinton, prince Andrew, Stephen hawking, woody allen,the crown prince of Saudi, and many more.

 He is arrested on child exploitation charges and child sex trafficking. Basically he flew the rich and famous there so they could have fun with kids and some other very sinister things . Away from the eyes of the world.  This is going to be an interesting story. If he squeals then big names could fall. 

Sullivan House Widemarsh Street Hereford, proposed change of use of redundant commercial building B1(a) to C3 residential incorporating 10 no. apartments of 6no. 1 bedroom units and 4no. 2 bedroom units. The proposal includes bin and cycle storageand 5 no. car parking spaces.

Planning Application P192324/PA2

As someone who occasionally buys things from the corner shop on Belmont Road/Avenue. I was shocked to see the photo and report online this morning. The staff there are always polite and friendly. The customers are not all boozers. I often see older people who don't want to walk as far as Asda.  I really think the Hereford Times should get their act together when publishing photographs of the wrong place (not the first time) The people who run this shop deserve a proper apology.

Also, the real shop in question was previously a newsagents before Asda opened, then selling washing machines etc. I have seen no planning applications for change of use to allow selling food etc. . If the licensing people object, why has no change of use been approved.

Well, folks, seems it will soon be time to focus on the Leadership election, as Mrs May has now indicated that she’ll be jumping ship in June. Let’s not go into the boring detail of who the aspirants for this lucrative job are, save to point out that the casting votes in the second round of the contest (the first round is restricted to the 330 serving Conservative MPs in the Commons) are vested only in paid-up members of the Conservative & Unionist Party of the UK. And at the last count there were a mere 125,000 of them – mostly with Bus Passes and many with limited life expectancy.

Against a UK population of just over 66 million. So the next British Prime Minister will be elected by just under 2% of the population. Does that sound fair to you?

                                                                                                         ANYONE BUT BORIS

Planning permission has been approved (with conditions) for a 65 bedroom Premier Inn hotel with ancillary restaurant, car park and associated works in Blackfriars Street Hereford.

Once complete the hotel will employ around 25 people.

Application P174776/F

Hereford Housing have submitted plans for the proposed demolition of 41 existing (prefab bungalows) in Beattie Avenue Hereford.

Construction of 71 bungalows and houses with associated parking, private amenity, access and alterations to highway.

An extract from the Hereford Housing website reads:

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The decision has been taken to redevelop the prefabs on Beattie Avenue (story here). These prefabs weren't designed to last, the past 30 years have been a compromise between the costs of sustaining the properties vs the costs to redevelop them. The time when we need to consider the latter has come. At this stage no plans other than the decision to redevelop has been made.

Application P180694/F

Work is scheduled to begin as soon as May.

The Hereford Skate Park has bee featured in the latest Co-op TV Adverts, check it out;

Co-op food that helps fund local causes #ItsWhatWeDo like the Hereford Skate Park.

Today is International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).

INWED is an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of women in engineering and focuses attention on the amazing career opportunities available to girls in this exciting industry.

I copied the above from an Armed Forces Group , believe that the proposed Engineering University in Hereford have missed an opportunity to spread the word further on this special day - you might be aware that the Armed Forces have numerous opportunities for Women in Engineering.

Planning permission has been granted for a new student accommodation block at Station Approach.

The application was submitted by the council’s development partners, energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE and Cityheart Partnerships, for purpose-built student accommodation at Station Approach. 

Hereford College of Arts (HCA), which has a proven need for good quality student housing to support its growth plans, will be the main customer of the Station Approach project. There will also be rooms allocated for students of NMiTE, supporting its development.

Station Approach is part of Herefordshire Council’s Development and Regeneration Programme (DRP) in partnership with ENGIE which will deliver the programme over the next 10 to 20 years. The programme will support the council’s economic vision for the county which includes support for the delivery of the new university and Hereford’s existing colleges.

The site is located at the heart of Hereford’s transport system, to the north east of the new Hereford City Link Road and provides easy access to Hereford College of Arts (HCA), Hereford station and the city centre.

Along with accompanying hard and soft landscaping, cycle parking, and accessible parking with fast charging points for electric cars, there will be public art designed and made by the students. 

Cllr Harry Bramer, cabinet member contracts and assets, said:

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“After the incredible hard work that has gone into the application and designs for Station Approach, it is fantastic news for Herefordshire that Station Approach has been granted planning permission. This is a wonderful example of a collaborative development, with the council, ENGIE, Cityheart, Hereford College of Arts and NMiTE all working together to progress this exciting project.

“We are delighted to see momentum building behind the DRP, which is a key part of our commitment to supporting the growth of our local economy and championing Herefordshire as a great place to live, work, study and visit.”

On working with Hereford College of Arts and NMiTE, Cllr Bramer concluded: “I would like to thank the staff and students of HCA and NMiTE for their feedback on the initial designs, which will help us to deliver one of the most vibrant and well-designed student accommodation projects in the country, and contribute to moving Hereford forward as a great place for higher education.” 

Jake Fellows, Major Projects Director for ENGIE’s Places & Communities division, said:

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“We’re delighted that these exciting proposals have been approved. This new development will help to cement Herefordshire’s place as a top destination for students over the coming years, and we’re looking forward to starting work on the site later in the year

“With plans for Station Approach progressing well and work about to begin on Ross Enterprise Park, the Development and Regeneration Programme is now really starting to gather pace, and this is thanks to the vision and commitment of Herefordshire Council and its partners.”

Abigail Appleton, Hereford College of Arts, said:

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“This opportunity plays an important role in our plans to attract more students than ever before to Hereford for creative degree courses at Hereford College of Arts.  We are also excited about the way that student and staff  artwork will help make this building an inspirational gateway to the city and represent our city’s great creative heritage and future.  

“We believe that collaboration between HCA, NMiTE and Herefordshire Council will help promote Hereford across the UK and beyond as a centre for exceptional specialist education.”

Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, CEO of NMiTE, added:

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“We are fully supportive of these exciting proposals and delighted to be partnering with HCA as customers for this purpose-built accommodation which will, we hope, make an important contribution to our requirements for our September 2020 intake of learner engineers”.

What's all this nonsense about saving the planet.

It all started to go downhill when schools dropped home economics in the 1970’s with a switch to computer and design technology, so that all you need to know now is how to handle a tin opener. The demise of home economics skills (cookery, laundry and budgeting) result in a scruffy mindless herd eating on the streets and throwing their tins, wrappers, plastic bottles and lottery tickets anywhere but into a waste bin. The specialty disposal method favoured locally is to deposit waste into someone’s garden hedge.

What does this mess (not politics) tell us about our future citizens and their minds. This is the outcome of the Liverpool and Tottenham match in Madrid. No wonder the Spanish get the wrong impression of British tourists.

I have just read this article: It is a pity that there is mention of Colin or Hereford Voice within any of this publication.

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HEREFORDSHIRE Council leaders say they will consider proposals for ultra-light rail to reduce congestion in the city

The Herefordshire Sustainable Transport Group has submitted evidence to the Department for Transport answering its call for submissions on opportunities to introduce new light rail systems into towns and cities in England.

The group says it was encouraged by Hereford MP Jesse Norman, who they say has been instrumental in preparing and instigating the call for evidence.

Chairman Carole Protherough said: “HSTG has paid close attention to important land use changes in the city, the need for regeneration especially of the urban core and the availability of potential ultra-light rail routes already in public ownership.

“Working with representatives from the light rail industry and environmentalists the HSTG response is a significant step forward in future transport planning for the city.”

Council infrastructure cabinet member John Harrington said they would explore the options for ultra-light rail in Hereford.

“The council is determined to respond to and work within the principles of the climate emergency declaration that was unanimously supported by all parties early this year.

“It is important that we have the city’s case for ultra-light rail properly examined.

“The solution to reducing congestion and promoting access and movement around Hereford through sustainable modes of transport will be multifaceted, and ultra-light rail will be considered as part of that approach.”

Coun Harrington also thanked Herefordshire’s voluntary transport organisations for contributing to the development of the county’s transport plans.

Mr Norman said he was pleased to be able to publish the call for evidence on light rail when he was a transport minister..

“There is a real potential opportunity not just for the county but for the country as a whole, through the creation of a new light rail industry.”

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/17684813.eastern-bypass-spat-severs-ruling-group/