Hereford Voice

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust is submitting an objection to the planning application for the development of land East of Hereford (Planning reference P240422/F) which borders the Lugg Meadows Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and ecologically important floodplain meadow.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust : Lugg Meadows Hereford  

The application details the erection of up to 350 dwellings, a farm shop and café, employment workspaces, and land for a potential primary school, along with associated parking and access roads.

The Trust’s primary concern is that there would be a greatly increased number of people visiting the Lugg Meadows, an increased number of dogs and cats, noise, light pollution and traffic. This is likely to have a significant impact on the flora and fauna of the meadows. In particular, the increased disturbance would impact the breeding curlew, which are already threatened with local extinction and the subject of a conservation project at the site.

SSSI status is the greatest protection a habitat can have in the UK and should mean it is preserved in perpetuity. Floodplain meadows have become incredibly rare with only around 1,200 hectares of this habitat remaining in the UK. They fulfil natural functions of flood management, pollution reduction and carbon sequestration alongside the provision of fantastic, specialised, wildlife habitat. This habitat is also included in Herefordshire’s Biodiversity Action Plan as one that conservation groups have identified as particularly under threat in the county and in need of preservation. The nature reserve is home to many rare species of plants and animal including the snake’s head fritillary and a small population of breeding curlew.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust are currently running a project to recover rare floodplain plants on Lugg Meadows. Funded by Natural England (NE) through its flagship Species Recovery Programme (SRP), the project aims to recover populations of narrow-leaved water-dropwort and mousetail - through habitat enhancement and sowing and planting at the meadows which lie within the River Wye Catchment.

The Trust also has concerns about the impact on the River Lugg, designated a Special Area of Conservation, already under huge pressure from pollution and described by Natural England as “unfavourable/declining.” The proposals do not guarantee that run-off from the development (which may include a wide range of pollutants e.g. oils, phosphates from car washings, paints, bleach) cannot enter the Lugg Rhea and, from there, the meadows and the River Lugg.

Much of Lugg Meadows is owned by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust with some areas also owned by the charity Plantlife.

Sarah King, Nature Recovery Manager at Herefordshire Wildlife Trust says:

“Lugg Meadows Nature Reserve are an absolute jewel of Herefordshire’s natural history. It is nationally significant for its rare species such as the beautiful snake’s-head fritillary and one of very few traditionally managed, ecologically rich floodplain meadows in the UK. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the highest protection a site can have and it is imperative that it is protected as it should be.

“To have such a site so close to the City is a real treat for residents and visitors. However, being close to urban areas brings a lot of pressure from high numbers of visitors and dog walkers. To date, we have just about managed to balance the visitor access with conservation of wildlife but having a major new residential area right alongside the site will be devastating for the sensitive plants, birds and animals that call the nature reserve home.”

Jenny Hawley, Plantlife Policy Manager, said:

“Plantlife is deeply concerned about development proposals on land east of Hereford due to the high risk of unacceptable impacts on Lugg Meadow Nature Reserve next to the site.

“This Plantlife nature reserve is a legally-protected Site of Special Scientific Interest, with a fragile ecosystem and nationally-scarce plant species including Narrow-leaved Water-dropwort (Oenanthe silaifolia). It is also one of the few ancient Lammas floodplain meadows remaining in England, adjacent to the River Lugg and part of the wider River Wye catchment.

“The proposed 350-home development would risk irreversible damage to this precious, sensitive ecosystem through increased water pollution, noise and light pollution, road traffic and footfall from visitors.”

More details on the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Website HERE

SAS hero soldier turned mercenary Peter McAleese was once recruited to assassinate Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Photo courtesy of Peter McAlesse Facebook.

Peter McAleese was a Scottish former soldier and mercenary. He served in the British Army's Parachute Regiment and Special Air Service, the Rhodesian Special Air Service and British South Africa Police, and South Africa's 44 Parachute Brigade.

Special forces hardman, Peter McAleese led a crack team of rogue black ops troops during a deadly mission to kill the notorious cartel chief in 1989.

Once he left Britain's famed SAS, he was offered a staggering $1million to deliver Escobar's head.

However, the attempt to raid Escobar's fortress estate failed spectacularly when his helicopter crashed over the Andes, killing the pilot and leaving McAleese critically injured on the mountaintop for three days before being rescued, back in 1989.

In later life Peter became an author publishing 2 books "No Mean Soldier" and "McAleese's Fighting Manual"

His death was announced last night on his official social media accounts Peter McAleese with the following statement;

"𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙤𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙙𝙪𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙧𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙠𝙮. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙄 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙛 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨, 𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙮, 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚 𝙄’𝙢 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙. 𝙎𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙪𝙙𝙙𝙮, 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙅𝙤𝙚"

A legal claim potentially worth hundreds of millions of pounds has been launched by law firm Leigh Day in a bid to compensate thousands of people living in the Wye catchment likely to have been affected by a major degradation of the River Wye and its tributaries in recent years.

Photo of flowering ranunculus weed bed (credit Phil Wilson)

The claim will be brought against Avara Foods Limited, one of the UK’s biggest food producers, alleging that industrial scale chicken farming in the River Wye catchment area is polluting the River Wye and surrounding land. Evidence shows the operations of Avara Foods to supply UK supermarkets has been the overwhelming cause of phosphorous pollution which is damaging the River Wye, says Leigh Day.

 
Photos of flowering ranunculus weed bed (credit Phil Wilson) 

Avara has said that it will cease polluting the river in the future. However, Leigh Day will argue that Avara Foods is responsible for the damage that has already been caused and should clean up the River Wye and the surrounding land, as well as pay hundreds of millions of pounds to people and businesses whose lives, livelihoods and enjoyment of the area has been impacted because of the effects of pollution. The legal claim will also look to prevent Avara Foods from polluting the river further if the company doesn’t carry out its pledge.

People who can join the legal claim will have a claim alleging private and public nuisance. They will live in a 4,000 sq km area in Powys, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲:

▪️ People whose land and property surrounds the River Wye – potentially thousands of claimants

▪️People who belong to the community surrounding the Wye – potentially tens of thousands of claimants

The claimants will include people affected by the pollution such as swimmers, canoeists, walkers, clubs, organisations, anglers and businesses whose lives and trade has been hit by the worsening condition of the river, or the nuisance effects on those living near chicken farming, such as smells, insects and noise. The businesses affected will include those working in tourism, hospitality and leisure.

The River Wye has been at the forefront of a major expansion of the chicken industry in the UK. Between 2013 and 2017 the number of birds in Herefordshire rose by one-third and researchers estimate the area now houses 23 million or more birds at any one time, generally concentrated in very large poultry units. The largest poultry processor is Avara, which is reportedly responsible for 80% of the birds in the River Wye catchment area. It is believed that a significant factor in the increase in poultry production in the region after 2018 was in order to meet the chicken meat demands of Tesco, a customer of Avara Foods.

High intensity farming, such as that required by the large-scale operations of Avara Foods, has affected the water quality of the River Wye to which landowners and others have a right under common law, the legal claim will say. Some people living in the area have reported sickness after swimming, and last year the river was downgraded to “unfavourable – declining” status by the government nature watchdog Natural England. This is only two stages away from the River Wye being listed as “destroyed”.

The claim will allege that the scale of the operations of large corporate poultry producers is generating significant quantities of phosphorous-rich manure which leach into the soil and into the river. This is raising phosphorous levels in the water which cause algal blooms which result in odour, insect swarms, biodiversity loss and water quality reduction.

Avara Foods is a UK subsidiary of US multinational Cargill Plc which has faced similar claims in the US as a result of polluting the Illinois River due to the same practice of high intensive poultry farming. In 2023, the Oklahoma Court ruled that Cargill Inc polluted the Illinois River by spreading chicken manure on land so that it then leached into the river’s watercourse. The judge in that case found that Cargill knew or should have known that using poultry waste as fertilizer posed a risk to waterways, and the UK claimants will similarly allege that Cargill Plc and Avara Foods knew that the outcome of intensive poultry farming would cause the pollution of the River Wye but continued with their operations anyway.

Avara Foods says it is committed to playing its part in the restoration of the River Wye “by taking accountability for the poultry manure that originates from it supply chain . . . but reversing the decline of the river is beyond the means of any single organisation”.

The civil claim is being handled by a team led by Leigh Day partner Oliver Holland.

Leigh Day partner Oliver Holland said:

“We consider that the significant decline in the health of the River Wye over the last few years is clearly linked to the significant increase in intensive poultry farming in the main brought about by Avara Foods. The lives and livelihoods of those living in the River Wye area are being significantly impacted only to the benefit of Avara Foods, a subsidiary of US multinational Cargill Plc. This destruction of one the UK’s most beautiful natural areas cannot continue, which is why we are bringing this legal action.”

The claim is supported by charity River Action. Chair and founder Charles Watson said:

“With around a quarter of the country’s chickens now being reared in the catchment of the River Wye, the waste emitting from this totally unsustainable concentration of poultry production has blighted communities across the region.

“With a huge percentage of this industry controlled by Avara, it is entirely appropriate that the polluter must now be made to pay to clean up the mess we believe it has created and subsequently profited from. We therefore applaud this action being taken by Leigh Day to seek recompense for the pollution of this magnificent river.”

Anyone who thinks they have a claim against Avara Foods because of nuisance they have suffered because of the impact of chicken farming in the Wye Valley, can get in touch with the River Wye claim legal team at Leigh Day by contacting riverwyepollution@leighday.co.uk

Legal basis for the claim

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁:

▪️ Avara has a duty not to impact the reasonable use/enjoyment of neighbours’ land by conducting activity beyond reasonable land use

▪️The pollution of the river; and odour and insect pollution caused by the intensive poultry units (IPU) breaches that duty

▪️By controlling the IPUs, Avara has exercised sufficient control over the nuisance to be liable for the nuisance caused by them

▪️The impact of the scale of intensive poultry farming required by Avara Foods’ regional operations on the river and the local community was entirely foreseeable, particularly given the successful liability claim against Avara Foods’ ultimate parent company Cargill, Inc. for the poultry farming pollution of the US river Illinois

▪️Property owners bordering the river (including those with rights to the riverbank and angling/fishing rights) are entitled to recover the loss they have suffered, including damages for loss of amenity and fall in property value. They can also seek remedial action e.g. cleaning up of the river.

▪️Property owners bordering intensive poultry farming units are entitled to recover the loss they have suffered, including damages for loss of amenity from odour and insects and fall in property value. They can also seek remedial action e.g. cleaning up of the river.

▪️Businesses owning affected property which have suffered financial losses are also entitled to be compensated.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗻𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁:

▪️Avara Foods has a duty not to impact the life, health, safety and/or comfort of the public

▪️It has breached this duty by polluting the river

▪️Those who have suffered a particular damage over and above the general public are entitled to be compensated, including for financial losses of a local business and loss of amenity. Remedial action can also be sought.

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆

The deterioration in the state of the River Wye has been well documented and has resulted in a public law claim against the Environment Agency. Brought by River Action, who are represented by the environment team at Leigh Day, the judicial review claim cites the Environment Agency’s failure properly to enforce the rules governing the spreading of organic manure and artificial fertiliser that can be spread on agricultural land from which water runs off and leaches into the River Wye. That claim was heard in the High Court on 7-8 February 2024.

It pointed out:

▪️ The Wye was designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to protect the river’s once-famous extensive Ranunculus river weed beds. However over 90 per cent of the river’s Ranunculus has now been lost, smothered by the algal blooms which means the river is not meeting the SAC conservation status specified by the Habitats Directive. In June 2020, a thick algal bloom extended for over 140 miles, almost the entire length of the river.

▪️ A study published in May 2022 by the University of Lancaster, Re-focusing Phosphorus use in the Wye Catchment (RePhoKUs Study) concluded that 60-70 per cent of the river’s total phosphorus load now comes from agriculture and an excess load of 3,000 tonnes of phosphorus is still being added to the river catchment area each year. This excess is accumulating at a rate equivalent to 17kg of phosphorus per hectare when the national average is 7kg per hectare.

Mark Hubbard

 
Adam Fisher                                                                                        Wye Photo by Leigh Day

Pete Reddings 

Pete Reddings

Usk photo by Leigh Day

An outline planning application has been submitted to Herefordshire Council.

'Outline planning application for the demolition of existing buildings and structures and the erection of up to 350 dwellings (including affordable housing), a farm shop and café, employment workspaces, and land for a potential primary school, along with associated parking, access roads, walking and cycling routes, public open space, landscaping, sustainable urban drainage and other associated works, site clearance and infrastructure. All matters reserved except access, which is partially reserved, with detailed approval sought for the primary vehicular site access via the A438'

Planning Application P240422/F

There are some fabulous Murals in Poland, here are a photos that I took in Poland.

Extra police officers will soon be out on patrol in towns across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Worcestershire as West Mercia Police introduce ten new dedicated town centre teams.

The teams will see officers and PCSOs with a specific town (or city) centre focus, based in:

• Evesham
• Hereford
• Kidderminster
• Leominster
• Oswestry
• Redditch
• Ross-on-Wye
• Shrewsbury
• Telford
• Worcester

Delivering on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer West Mercia Plan, the introduction of the focused teams is part of our joint commitment to ensure officers are visible, accessible, and focused on tackling the priorities that matter most to the communities we serve.

The locations of the new teams have been chosen based on where data shows there’s the highest policing demand, biggest populations and/or footfall, and where an extra police presence will further help prevent crime and offer additional reassure to communities.

Temporary Chief Constable Alex Murray said:

“The town centre teams will bolster local policing in our communities, making sure we have officers in the places we know you want to see them and tackling the issues that really matter to you.

“These extra officers will work alongside response teams to make sure we are where you need us – be it in the towns and cities or the more rural areas of the three counties we serve.

“Over the last year crime has reduced and more crimes have been detected and the new teams will help us in our persistent and proactive approach to fighting crime. They will be highly visible, working to cut crime, reduce anti-social behaviour, actively target repeat offences and working to reduce retail and business crime, including shoplifting.”

The teams are being funded through Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion’s 2024/25 budget.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said:

“I hear regularly from communities calling for police officers to be evermore visible and accessible in the heart of communities.

“I have listened to those concerns and have ensured West Mercia Police has the resources it needs to introduce first-of-a-kind town centre policing teams across West Mercia.

"I know these teams will help drive down crime and build strong relationships with the public and businesses they proudly serve.”

The teams will be in place later this year.

Herefordshire Council adopts the Council Tax precepts

Herefordshire Council has adopted the total Council Tax precepts for all Herefordshire residents. 

As the billing authority, the council has a statutory duty to collect charges set by each parish council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia and Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority. However, Herefordshire Council has no control over the level of increase or how these organisations choose to spend their budget.

Herefordshire residents will be provided with individual bills based on their parish location. The raised precepts are needed to support the delivery of vital services across the county, with the average Council Tax bill for a Band D dwelling set at £1,954.79.

This includes the council’s own tax charge of £1,875.76 (for a band D dwelling) which was approved by Full Council on 9 February 2024. The increase is needed to support the continued delivery of vital services across the county and our priority is to get the best possible value for every pound we spend on the people of Herefordshire.

The precept for the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia rose by 4.91% to £277.50, an increase of £13.00.

The precept for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority rose by 2.99% to £97.22, an increase of £2.82.

The discount on the council tax reduction (CTR) scheme for any struggling family which qualifies will remain at 100% for the coming year – irrespective of the price banding of their home. Additionally, some residents will continue to pay no Council Tax at all, such as young adults who have left care and also all the council’s Foster Carer families.

More information and advice on reduction schemes and allowances can be found on the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/counciltax

The Council Tax setting report discussed at Full Council on Friday 8 March 2024 can be found on the council’s website.

11 hours ago, megilleland said:

This application relates to the Tesco premises in Belmont, lying on the south-western
fringes of Hereford. It seeks planning permission for a temporary storage container to
be sited each year from November to January. It is proposed that it be located on land
within the delivery yard to the north-west of the superstore, which is accessed from
Abbotsmead Road. It would have an area of 28sqm, stand 2.7m tall and comprise the
appearance of a shipping container albeit be internally fitted out as a refrigeration unit.
A previous application (073649/F), for the installation of two temporary refrigerated
storage units, was refused on the grounds of highway safety.

Relevant Site History: 073649/F - Installation of two temporary refrigerated storage
units – Refused on 21st December 2007

This was refused

DELEGATED DECISION REPORT
APPLICATION NUMBER 214561
Tesco Supermarket, Abbots Mead Road, Belmont, Hereford, HR2 7XS

Transportation –
No highways objections – no conditions required

Environmental Health Officer –
I would advise that over the years we have had numerous complaints from local
residents about noise caused by various sources at this supermarket. This premises
is in a very sensitive location being located at very close proximity to residential
development. The positioning of these temporary refrigeration units provides another
possible source for the generation of unacceptable noise whilst they are in position. I
note from neighbour representations that this has been raised as a concern and I
would concur with this view. There is no mention in the application as to what level of
noise will be generated or as to how any unacceptable levels will be mitigated. I would
therefore recommend that this application is refused unless an acoustic survey is
provided that demonstrates what level of noise will be produced and if this level is
unacceptable what mitigation measures will be put in place to ensure that noise from
them will be adequately controlled. I would recommend that the acoustic survey uses
the methodology provided by BS 4142:2014 Methods for Rating and Assessing
Industrial and Commercial Noise (as amended A1:2019), however it should also
specifically consider low frequency noise and vibration.

_________________________________________________

If Tesco couldn't put two temporary containers on their site, I can't see how the council can approve a 
large supermarket.
 

This is a good point! 

Let's talk about the highly controversial Lidl planning application (remember when we originally broke the news and other pages said it was all rumours as they had spoken with the hotel... 🤔)

Anyway, this application ended up having to go to a full planning committee 

This topic 👇 that followed just 18 minutes later was a pure coincidence of course..

Council would like to convert this toilets into a sleeper pod for homeless.

Just a pure coincidence and nothing more..👇 

We absolutely love the new Hereford Murals and shared this on Thursday 22 February at 16:13

Someone else likes them also and shared this 4 minutes later 👇

But wait! Just incase you missed it... 

On 13/03/2024 at 17:52, Mick said:

Some of the councillors in the meeting have raised concerns over flooding (once pond removed) and traffic leaving the site and turning right, this is is going to be a serious problem, you'll see. 

This is going to be a major problem!

We cannot get a 'traffic lights out trial' yet exiting a Lidl supermarket and turning right (onto one of the busiest roads in Hereford A465) and crossing the carriageway, which is the direction of oncoming traffic and hoping that the traffic heading southbound or vehicles waiting in the little filter lane turning into Lidl's will giveaway is ok though...

Accidents here are sadly inevitable! Mark our words!! 

You can watch the Herefordshire Council Planning And Regulatory Committee meeting below 

4 hours ago, H.Wilson said:

How soon will the work begin? (I do not agree with council decision by the way) 

Do not be surprised if they start to demolish the hotel fairly rapidly. Let the mayhem begin! 

Well we were spot on with our prediction! 

The full meeting live stream can be viewed here 👉 https://hfd.news/Lidlvote

3 hours ago, megilleland said:

You can watch this council meeting live here:

 

Most of the committee were in favour of refusal but we did think the Chair Terry James was a real ditherer and was more worried about being able to defend any legal appeal if refused. 

Herefordshire Council Planning And Regulatory Committee approve Lidl Supermarket Application at the Three Counties Hotel. 

After much debate, a proposal to 'REFUSE' was proposed by Cllr. Richard Thomas and seconded by Cllr. Simeon Cole however, after a lot of pressure from the panel and some legal arguments members of the committee voted we believe as follows; 1st Vote

• 𝟰 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿
• 𝟳 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁
• 𝟭 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱

On the second motion for the Planning Officers recommendation to 'APPROVE', this was proposed by Cllr Baker and nobody initially came forward to second the motioned however, later on in the meeting, we understand that it was eventually seconded by Cllr. Dave Davies. The majority voted with the officer (we do not know actually who voted) and members of the committee, we believe voted as follows; 2nd Vote

• 𝟲 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿 *
• 𝟯 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 *
• 𝟯 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱

On the 2nd vote

* We believe that the following Councillors all voted against this planning application.

• Cllr. Richard Thomas
• Cllr. Simeon Cole
• Cllr. David Hitchiner      

* After reviewing the live feed, we also believe that the following Councillors voted to approve this planning application.

• Cllr. Diana Toynbee
• Cllr. Dave Boulter
• Cllr. Bruce Baker
• Cllr. John Stone
• Cllr. Terry James (Chairperson)
• Cllr. Dave Davies 

The silver monolith was spotted by walkers on Hay Bluff near the Powys town of Hay-on-Wye at the weekend. It follows a spate of monoliths cropping up around the world in 2020 - from the Isle of Wight to Romania, California and the Utah desert.

It also sparked social media chatter that it surely was the work of aliens. Some quashed those rumours, instead believing it’s another elaborate piece of undercover artwork we’ve become accustomed to. One of the monoliths even arrived in 2020 with the words “Not Banksy”

Conspiracy theorists speculated aliens could be behind the structures - and some people on social media have turned to the same explanation for the structure in Wales.

No one has come forward to claim responsibility for the Welsh monolith, although an anonymous collective called The Most Famous Artist took credit for the structures in America in 2020.

Herefordshire Council have submitted a planning application to convert existing public toilet located in Union Street Hereford into a temporary sleeper pod.

'Proposed removal of existing public toilet and change of use to provide a single occupancy self contained 'sleeper pod' to comprise a bed, shower and WC to provide accommodation for a single temporary homeless person'

Full details HERE

On 27/01/2024 at 08:36, Steve Major said:

Of course it will be approved. This is a farce 

1. Submit a controversial planning application 
2. Wait for all the objections and complaints 
3. Withdrawn original planning application 
4. Submit new planning application with a few tweaks
5. All previous objections are no longer valid and need re-submitting
6. Move in Asylum Seekers 
7. Less people complain and some people prefer the first option over the second
8. Original objections now watered down as people think they have already objected (not realising that there is a new application, which amounts to the same)
9.  Keep delaying the decision, keep changing determination dates
10. Approved 

Absolutely what we have been saying for sometime Steve.

Attractive public house available by way of a new free of tie lease

Key features

▪️Attractive public house close to Hereford City Centre

▪️Located on Commercial Road comprising a mix of national and independent operators

▪️GIA approximately 5,800 Sq Ft (546 Sq M)

▪️Trading area at ground floor with central bar servery

▪️Good sized rear trade garden

▪️Rental offers invited in excess of £70,000 per annum plus VAT

Property is listed with Savills here

It appears that Yates may not be renewing their lease in Hereford..

The Yates brand of pubs is owned by Stonegate. The company did not renew leases on other Yates bars including the closure of their bar in Ipswich last year and another in Oldham.

Yates opened in Hereford on Thursday 29 March 2012 with a celebratory launch party and surprise guest star.

The pub, was formally the Litten Tree, closed on Sunday 18th March 2012.

One woman was yesterday (Wednesday 6 March) charged with drugs offences after she was arrested at an address in Leominster, Herefordshire.

Victoria Cox, 37, of Cheaton Close in Leominster, Herefordshire was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

She was due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court this morning (Thursday 7 March) 

Another woman, aged 52 ,was also arrested during the warrant was released under investigation while enquiries continue.

A Ledbury man has been jailed after the passenger of the car he was driving died when he lost control of the vehicle.

Daniel Kalva, of Bridge Street in Ledbury, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 5 March) to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured and unlicensed and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 11 years.

In the early hours of 7 November 2022 21-year-old Kalva was travelling on the A438, between Hereford and Ledbury, with passenger Molly Stone and one other passenger. Kalva lost control of the vehicle and collided with a building.

Molly, who was 19 years old at the time, was ejected from the vehicle and sadly died in hospital from her injuries.

Police Constable Jamie Carr from Hereford Operations Policing Unit said: “No length of sentencing will ever be able to replace a daughter and sister who was very much loved by family and friends. Molly’s parents and sister have been extremely brave throughout the investigation into the loss of their daughter and sibling.

“Molly’s parents would like to thank the emergency services who attended the incident for their work and also the NHS for their efforts to save Molly’s life”.

“I do hope that one positive outcome to this traumatic incident is that it gives a clear message that people should not get behind a wheel unless they are legally able to so and drive responsibly with care and thought of others”.

The application to demolish the Three Counties Hotel on Belmont Road and built a Lidl will be heard by the Full Planning Committee next Wed 13th March.

Report recommends acceptance but final decision rests with the Full Committee which meets at Herefordshire Council offices in Plough Lane in public.

If approved, the following trading and delivery hours are sought:

Trading:

Monday to Saturday Including Bank Holidays: 08:00 - 22:00

Sundays: 10:00 - 16:00

Deliveries:

Monday to Saturday: 07:00 - 23:00

Sundays: 10:00 - 16:30

Bank Holidays: 08:00 - 18:00

𝟭. 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

1.1 The ‘Three Counties Hotel’ is set back off Belmont Road (A465) Hereford to Abergavenny road and located in the south west of Hereford about 1.5 miles from the City Centre. The application site is about 1.66 hectares in size and currently has landscaped gardens (pond and patio area to the front which established trees) as well as car parking. The site is bounded by Belmont Road to the south, residential properties within Glastonbury Close to the north and east. To the south east is a wooded area and adjacent to that a ‘Drive Thru’ restaurant (McDonalds). To the west beyond the car park are residential dwellings in Flaxley Drive. The Newton Brook runs adjacent to the site to the west. The brook runs from Waterfield Road under Belmont Road and up alongside the Three Counties Hotel then into Glastonbury Close which also runs between Golden Post and Sydwell Road. Residential properties on the periphery of the site are a mix of semi-detached, terraced and detached properties.

1.2 A Tree Preservation Order covers 4 individual trees across the site, ref T1, T2, T3, & T4. The site is not located within a designated area known as a national Landscape (previously known as area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The site lies within Flood Zone 1 (low risk of flooding). The site is not located within or adjacent to a Conservation Area and there are no heritage assets (including non-designated heritage assets) within the site, adjoining the site or in close proximity.

1.3 The existing hotel (now closed) had 60 bedrooms with 32 located in an annex to the rear (known as the Garden Rooms). When in use as a hotel it also has an ancillary bar and conference rooms.

Further information on the subject of this report is available from Ms Heather Carlisle on 01432 260453

The site is previously developed land/brownfield land. Since March 2023 until March 2024 the hotel has been used to house asylum seekers and has been run by the ‘Home Office’. The site is currently closed to the general public but would revert back to a hotel following the end of the temporary use to house the asylum seekers.

231703 - THREE COUNTIES HOTEL BELMONT HEREFORD HEREFORDSHIRE HR2 7BP.pdf

It has just been confirmed that the Lidl application will go to full planning committee next Wednesday 13th March.