megilleland

I was intrigued to see that those living in Belmont (Belmont Rural Parish Council) pay less than those in Newton Farm (Hereford City Parish Council). As the council tax is based on rental values, I would of thought these figures were the opposite way round. Have I read these right? # Belmont in Belmont Rural Parish Council Band/£ * Newton Farm in Hereford City Council Parish Council Band/£ #992.31 band A *999.23 difference +6.92 #1157.68 band B *1165.76 difference +7.88 #1323.07 band C *1332.30 difference +9.23 #1488.45 band D *1498.84 difference +10.39 #1819.23 band E *1831.93 difference +12.70 #2150.00 band F *2165.01 difference +15.01 #2480.76 band G *2498.07 difference +17.31 #2976.90 band H *2997.68 difference +20.78 I know it is only a few pounds a year, but it looks as if the less well off are paying more again. Looking at last years council tax demand, when there was no council tax increase, and listening to David Cameron saying that councils should freeze the council tax, Hereford City Parish Council's proportion increased by 2.8%.

This is part of the road network that the government want to privatise! I imagine if it goes ahead there will be turnstiles placed here to catch the tolls.

For the past 4 years I have tried to get Herefordshire Council to cut back a tree which is behind my house and blocking sunlight reaching the garden. All I want is for some branches to be removed to limit the spread of the tree. I have raised this with my councillors and they have passed the matter to the parks department, but they are totally against taking any action. They have sent me two leaflets regarding their policy on trees which do not help. This tree owned by the Council, the rest by Muir Housing View of trees lopped by Muir Housing. Note the path separating land with bollards from highway verge. The bizarre twist in this application is that this tree is one of twelve planted by Muir Housing Group when the houses were built, but because the Council say that this tree is on the highway verge they are responsible for it. There is actually a path between the land this tree is planted on and the highway verge - so I would say that it is not on the highway verge. Muir Housing Group lopped their 11 trees in 2010 and their reason for this: "The reason that I (Susan Harris) requested tree work to be carried out on our trees was due to the fact that I felt the trees could become dangerous and therefore rather than an accident happening I had our contractors look at the trees who in turn contacted professional tree surgeons and they advised us on what they felt was the best way forward". The work they carried out I thought was excellent. Not only were the trees thinned out, but the lower branches were removed to stop the children climbing the trees and reducing vandalism. I believe the real reason that the council do not want to take any action on the tree behind me is one of cost, but I have offered to pay for the work myself by employing a tree surgeon. The council have refused this offer. I have posted this item because when you travel around the housing estates I have been appalled by the treatment some of the trees have received at the hands of Amey and Herefordshire Housing. Much of the work carried out resembles the after effects of a nuclear bomb. Before Waterfield Road After Waterfield Road. These must have been cut by the council as they are on the highway verge Back of Kemble Court/Sherborne Close Back of Kemble Court/Sherborne Close The character of the tree has been destroyed and we are left with something that looks a very poor specimen. A lot of this work has been carried out on Herefordshire Housing trees due to the trees, in some cases, blocking light out of houses and blocking gutters, but the council do not seem to worried in pulling them up in the manner they have carried out the work. So if you want to see a real tree visit the one behind Muir Close and we have another two council trees affecting properties further round in the street. I do not think I will be wasting any more of my time conversing with the council as they are totally unhelpful and not interested in the estates environment. No matter what you raise with them they couldn't care less using the recession as an excuse.

The post is on Great Western Way just before you go over the river bridge. Could be dangerous if you came off your bike and fell on it.

Here are a few more posts that appear to not have a useful function. These are seen by the river, behind Sherborne Close, Waterfield Road, along Great Western Way.

No, I cycle everywhere. I am just intrigued of the reasoning of ASDA. I agree another petrol station is always convenient for the motorist considering that over the last sixteen years the number of filling stations in the UK has reduced dramatically from over 18,000 in 1992 to 8,787 at the end of 2010.

From the ASDA Transportation Statement Consideration of a Petrol Filling Station (PFS) ASDA has stated that the business rationale for including a PFS at the Hereford store is to provide a more complete offer to existing customers, rather than to increase revenue. The profit margins on fuel are not sufficient to justify the introduction of a scheme that undermines the core business activity associated with the food store. Notably, ASDA would not promote a PFS if it was likely to compromise the operational effectiveness of the store car park, access road and access junction. Given the low margins on offering fuel, ASDA is not in a position to significantly undercut other local providers in order to win custom. In any event, were ASDA to offer fuel at a price that was markedly less expensive than that offered elsewhere locally it is likely that the cost of fuel available from competitors would drop to match ASDA's prices. This then has the effect of lowering the cost of petrol available in the local area in a blanket manner. That being the case, the assumption that ASDA would serve as a significant draw because of lower prices would be incorrect. In other words ASDA will only sell fuel at the same price as its competitors - the price will rise and fall in line with its competitors, but will not be cheaper. No benefit to motorists who will still pay the going rate at the time. ASDA has recent experience of delivering similar projects at more than 70 sites in the UK. The following provides an explanation of various issues given by ASDA's Petrol Trading department in response to queries raised in relation to other sites: Concern over pricing policy relative to local competitors attracting higher volumes ASDA does not propose to adopt an aggressively competitive pricing strategy. It will not trade below cost or offer prices that were more favourable than prices in the local catchment. In the event that a price differential emerges, local competitors would be expected to respond by price matching. The overall effect would be to drive down fuel prices in the catchment. And put the independent PFS out of business? Concern in relation to "Supermarket offers" ASDA does not operate a loyalty card system and is not in a position to offer discounted fuel as a reward to food store customers whose spend might quality them for such offers available at other food store operators. But this does preclude them with coming up with a marketing scheme to get customers through their doors. Scepticism over assumptions and forecasts made during the Transport Assessment process ASDA is committed to a forecourt management strategy which ensures a trained member of staff will attend the PFS for 60hr each week to monitor its operation. This is standard practice at comparable ASDA facilities throughout the UK. In the event that the PFS performed in excess of expectations presenting traffic problems during peak times, ASDA reserves the right to introduce closures at certain times of day. Can you imagine them doing this! So will they open the small road coming from the store as part of the conditions? Not according to the submitted plans. All vehicles and fuel deliveries will be using the existing access and entering the PFS off the first roudabout.

No one has thought about utilising this empty car park just down the road off Vernon Williams Close. The money saved on not building the proposed car park in Waterfield road would have allowed the existing cycle track to continue and link this existing car park to the country park.

Took a few photos of the Country Park this week enjoying the sunshine.

Looking at the crime figures for this area from the Police UK crime map we have had in 2011 a total of 138 anti-social behaviour issues, 16 vehicle crimes and 4 drug crimes (the drug figure only covers the last four months of the year). Putting this car park in Waterfield Road will only add to these figures for 2012.

There is talk of locking the car park at night to secure it against anti-social behaviour. How is this going to help fisherman who want to fish at night. Maybe fishing is only going to be allowed during car park opening hours!

I think that the problem will not be exiting using the road from the store, but trying to get into it - especially if you are coming over the bridge towards the roundabout. Traffic in the right hand lane trying to access ASDA are held up by lights which only let about 3 cars across the main road and make traffic going down Belmont Road back up.

Plans can be seen here

In the report to the planning committee the police response was still awaited. This is now available under representations on the planning application or here. WMC reply to car park.pdf They don't seem to be very keen on the car park either.

Attached here is the council's recommendation that the car park be approved at its planning meeting on the 22nd February 2012. All the reasons why it should not be built have been ignored and the affected residents will have to put up with more anti-social behaviour closer to their homes. The council officers list a variety of reasons why each objection submitted is not relevant. Read it and see if you agree.

The notice boards look ok to me, agree a bit pricey, but that is local council expenditure for you. Now that we have got them, get the old ones removed, refurbished and offered to another group who will use them. The important thing is to put useful information in them that will assist the local citizens, ie the city council and county council agendas which affect this area. Then people can be made aware of issues coming up for discussion by these bodies before the decisions are made. Other items could be Haywood Country Park, Herefordshire Housing developments ie The Oval. Any other suggestions?

Nice to see a smart new cast iron notice board erected at The Oval, just past Subway on the way round to the fish and chip shop. Who is responsible for this board and placing notices within it? At the moment only general notices on view. What about putting the City of Hereford Parish Council minutes and agendas on display. We may then find out what issues in Newton Farm and Hunderton are being considered, before decisions are made.

Not quite true. Specified categories of minor or insignificant development are granted an automatic planning permission by law, and therefore do not require any application for planning permission. These categories are referred to as permitted development. In the case of any proposal for development there is therefore a two stage test: "is the proposal development at all?" and, if the proposal is development, "is it permitted development?" Only if a development is not permitted development would an application for planning permission be required. Herefordshire Council by advertising the car park planning application on the lamp post and in a local newspaper would suggest that it is not permitted development. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 allows local authorities to carry out certain developments specified in schedule 2 of the order. PART 12 - DEVELOPMENT BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES in schedule 2 states: Class A Permitted development A. The erection or construction and the maintenance, improvement or other alteration by a local authority or by an urban development corporation of (a) any small ancillary building, works or equipment on land belonging to or maintained by them required for the purposes of any function exercised by them on that land otherwise than as statutory undertakers; (b) lamp standards, information kiosks, passenger shelters, public shelters and seats, telephone boxes, fire alarms, public drinking fountains, horse troughs, refuse bins or baskets, barriers for the control of people waiting to enter public service vehicles, and similar structures or works required in connection with the operation of any public service administered by them. Interpretation of Class A A.1 For the purposes of Class A “urban development corporation†has the same meaning as in Part XVI of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980(4) (urban development). A.2 The reference in Class A to any small ancillary building, works or equipment is a reference to any ancillary building, works or equipment not exceeding 4 metres in height or 200 cubic metres in capacity. Car parks are not specifically listed. The omission of car parks above is supported in the Government's Planning Policy Guidance 17: Planning for open space, sport and recreation which states: Developments within Open Spaces 16. The recreational quality of open spaces can be eroded by insensitive development or incremental loss of the site. In considering planning applications - either within or adjoining open space - local authorities should weigh any benefits being offered to the community against the loss of open space that will occur. Planning authorities may wish to allow small scale structures where these would support the existing recreational uses (for example, interpretation centres, toilets, and refreshment facilities), or would provide facilities for new recreational uses. They should seek to ensure that all proposed development takes account of, and is sensitive to, the local context. 17. Local authorities should: i. avoid any erosion of recreational function and maintain or enhance the character of open spaces; ii. ensure that open spaces do not suffer from increased overlooking, traffic flows or other encroachment; iii. protect and enhance those parts of the rights of way network that might benefit open space; and iv. consider the impact of any development on biodiversity and nature conservation. Having asked some questions and made some comments in my representation concerning this planning application, it would be polite if the council could respond to these items as I have heard nothing to date.

Representations concerning the construction of the above car park can be read on Herefordshire Council website at http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/housing/planning/58286.aspx?ID=113513. Click on Representations to open documents. Interesting to note that several residents affected by this development have raised various concerns. Not surprising that the council departments consulted have no objections, but give no reasons how they arrive at their decision. Also Hereford City Parish Council which represents Newton Farm has no objection to the car park construction. There is also some debate that this car park does not need planning permission - is this true?

While out today I came across this planning notice on Waterfield Road proposing the construction of a car park. When I attended the public meeting at Eastholme before Christmas I got the impression that most of the gathering were against the car park being situated here, especially the anglers, as it was too far from the Belmont Ponds. The anglers would have liked a car park off Haywood Lane closer to the ponds. Has this application being advertised in the local press as you can easily miss the notice on the lamp post. The letters in the box on the planning application state the application is a planning application and affects a public right of way, agreed. However at the bottom of the application are further letters and D catches my eye as this would state that the proposed development does not accord with the provisions of the Development Plan. Is the development plan the same as the Unitary Development Plan? In which case because this land is protected public open space I would have assumed that any development would not be allowed. Has anyone else been consulted about this proposal? Any comments to the council by 3rd February 2012.

From the Hereford Times 19th January 2012 County ward in Herefordshire among UK's worst child poverty spot MORE than 4,000 children and young people in the county are now categorised as growing up within the worst indicators of child poverty in the UK. A report for Herefordshire Council's health and wellbeing board says child poverty is a significant issue for many local communities. One ward - Golden Post- Newton Farm in south Hereford is confirmed as among the worst in the UK for unemployment or limited opportunities for work. And two of the worst wards for child poverty in the county are in Leominster. The board was told of strategies being drawn up between the county's economic, health and education sectors to tackle issues raised within five years. All told, about 4,500 children in the county & the majority of them under 16 & are said by the report to be growing up in poverty. The worst ward for overall deprivation is Golden Post- Newton Farm, which is also in the UK top 10 for employment deprivation. Hereford's South Wye wards as a whole are said to have the highest level of young people not in education, employment or training. The city's Central ward has an under-18 pregnancy rate running at nearly three times the county average. Leominster's Ridgemoor and Gateway wards also feature in child poverty lists. The report makes a direct link between child poverty, historically low wages in the county and the number of part-time workers, particularly women. Poor housing conditions & especially in the private rented sector and rural communities are identified as an issue too, the latter particularly lacking mains service infrastructure such as water, gas, and drainage. The report cites the county's most recent housing condition survey that, in 2006, showed more than nine per cent of homes had serious hazards and more than 40 per cent failed the decent homes standard. The waiting list for social housing in the county now tops 5,000. In schools, the report finds a 30 per cent attainment gap emerging between pupils eligible for free school meals and those who aren't while one in 10 children in reception classes is categorised as obese. Anyone got any idea why this is? Have these estates been neglected by the authorities for too many years? Many of the cities estates built over 40/50 years ago have had little in the way of facilities to improve the quality of life ie Youth club closed, church closed, and threat of loss of open space.

Argyll Rise Open Space nomination appears to have been removed from the Queen Elizabeth 2012 Fields website. We are checking up to find out why this is - it may be just a glitch or someone may have asked for it to be removed! Over 30 votes registered so far - way more than the other two Council nominations.

Voting for Argyll Rise Open Space commenced today 18th October 2011 and lasts for only one month. Go to QE2 Fields Challenge and save this open space for prosperity.

I delayed posting this comment due to the Christmas and New Year Break, but feel that attention should be raised to the piles of litter which I see, not only on my estate, but also around the city generally and in particular along the A465 verges between Wormbridge and the city. Is anyone going to pick it up or is it just a case of waiting until spring/early summer and hope it gets hidden in the long grass. One particular bad part of the city which I walk through every day is the lane joining Canal Road and the back of Morrisons. I know it is a private road, but it is public litter that has been dropped and together with the graffiti overlooking the burial ground, the complete scene is an eyesore. I have yet to see a human road sweeper in the city with a brush and shovel keeping on top of this problem. If it can't be reached from the comfort of a mechanical sweeper no one bothers. Also the debris that was reported at the back of Charles Witts Avenue and bordering the Great Western Way is still there after one year. How does everyone else feel about this constant problem?

Does anyone know what the three large containers on the Vortex site are for? Is something happening on the land?