Cloudberry

A western Hereford Relief Road with western bridge is in the Core Strategy, so I'm sure we will hear much more about that soon..... Everyone seems to have heard that constraints would be a problem for a bridge on the east side. But somehow the constraints on the west side of Hereford remain ignored. ALL of the River Wye is a designated SAC and SSSI, and any bridge would have to cross that. It seems rather convenient that despite the amazing landscape, heritage and biodiversity in Breinton, there have been very few other statutory designations. But at least there is the National Trust's Breinton Springs. There is also ancient woodland with wild daffodils, bluebells, orchids, etc. all along the river cliff, and water meadows (similar to those by the Lugg but not with the stones) with their former channels. Why has Lower Breinton, (by Breinton Springs) never been made a Conservation Area? Around the church there are several listed buildings, a scheduled monument mound that looks like a castle, and the remains of an abandoned medieval village. Have you ever taken the Wye Valley Walk out of Hereford by the water works? Very soon you are in a wooded, steep-sided river valley with no sight of houses at all. You can see kingfishers, mandarin ducks and lots more wildlife. This is where they want to put a bridge across. They will tell you that it will have "minor adverse" implications for wildlife. This landscape truly is irreplaceable, and it's a huge hidden asset for leisure, being so close to Hereford city.

For Neighbourhood Plans and the like, Herefordshire Council provide detailed Environmental Assessment maps so that locals won't propose unsuitable plans that will harm the environment! Strangely, the flooding from Yazor Brook and surface water flooding over fields nearby, and underlying minerals deposits are SO much more important in that context than they are for proposals of 1000+ homes!

I don't know, Megilleland, but you would think it must be an important factor. This is where Heineken-Bulmer have traditionally sourced all their water that goes into the cider etc. There are lots of licensed boreholes in this area.

A "Community Planning Weekend" sounds very caring, doesn't it? So the developers can say they have "consulted" the community. But it will be interesting to see if they do take any notice of local concerns. They don't live in the area themeselves, so up to now they have only had info available on the internet. They don't know that some of the maps they show are really misleading. Take flood risk. Their maps don't show surface water flooding risk, only risk from Yazor Brook. They don't know how badly the fields around Whitecross School and near Kings Acre Road were flooded in Feb 2014. Fayre Oaks Home Park across the road flooded very badly then and had to have a fire engine and pumps for several days.

"Public consultation" starts this afternoon, folks. I'll be there later, making "suggestions" if possible!

Great explanation of all that is wrong with SC2, from John Perkins. But I am concerned about how effective opposition can be, if Herefordshire Council are submitting the application to their own planners.....

Thanks very much, Colin! Bear in mind this map was made in 2010 so ideas have probably changed. Anyone know what a Local Enhancement Zone is? I've a feeling I may not like it... And what is the significance of the Hereford and Gloucester canal route drawn on the map into the centre of Hereford? Water taxis?!!

Yes, yes, a bit late, we can all see what went wrong. And yes, Amanda, IOC and Indies DO now need to get together to foster a presence in the community, and if people stop moaning and think about opportiunities, isn't that exactly what could be done at the "consultation" at Whitecross School?

Next Friday and Saturday at Whitecross School there is a meeting about the development of the Three Elms site on the west of Hereford City. The Church Commisoners who own the land have to tick a box that they have covered "community involvement" prior to making a planning application later. On the following Tuesday evening (19th) they will present their "findings" about "what local people want", according to what people have said at the "consultation" events. So if any of you can get there to ask questions, do it! This is not just about Three Elms, there are many ways in which this can affect the future planning of the whole of Hereford. (Full details on Land at Three Elms thread)

Don't forget this opportunity to ask lots of questions about building 1000 houses at Three Elms, either side of Huntington Lane.

Had a Look at this "Council Constitution". Surely it must be for some fantasy Council?! Respect, Excellence, Accountable, diverse, Listening, Protecting the environment?? I'd certainly like to hold them to account on all this! "2.1.1 Vision 2.1.1.1 The council has a corporate plan that sets out its vision and priorities for the county and the measures used to show how far that vision has been met. The corporate plan also sets out how the council is performing against those aims and objectives and is reviewed annually. 2.1.2 Values 2.1.2.1 The council is committed to maintaining high standards of conduct by its staff and councillors and has adopted the following values that underpin its work:- People: treating people fairly, with compassion, respect and dignity Excellence: striving for excellence, and the appropriate quality of service, care and life in Herefordshire Openness: being open, transparent and accountable Partnership: working in partnership, and with all our diverse communities Listening: actively listening to, understanding and taking into account people’s views and needs Environment: protecting and promoting our outstanding natural environment and heritage for the benefit of all"

The results are indeed very disappointing, very worrying. But for now I would like to thank all the great candidates who didn't quite get elected for the supreme efforts they made on behalf of all of us. All that time and energy they spent, - hoping to keep Herefordshire special and not just a clone of other counties. I hope you will still share your knowledge, experience and best ideas in other ways.

But see H Times, - Saxongate is not a "safe" result!! Will be by-election because up to 400 spoiled votes! IOC were only losing by 19 votes, so a new chance to win here!

You are right, I can see the maps etc., but I can't see anything about representations. But Jean has said today she has had a lettter from Parsons Brinckerhoff telling her the application is submitted and she has 21 days to object. Conspiracy or incompetence?

As I said before, through this link you can see the actual Planning Application here: http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=50009513

Well they won't want the Hereford Times to run this story while people are still voting will they?

I got wind of it as I opted to receive What's new emails from HC. It's on the What's New page The route plan and "mitigation options" are there. http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=50009513

A map of the route is on the Council website showing it goes through Jean's garden and Grafton Wood. Apart from the fact that this proposed road cannot expect to help traffic congestion, they still seem to ignore that Grafton Wood is ancient woodland. They intend various wildlife "mitigation" sites along the route, but ancient woodland cannot be mitigated, - once it's gone it's gone forever.

Dippy is right, despite the flood alleviation scheme upstream Yazor Brook does still flood, - and these fields in the plan also absorb some water flowing down to Kings Acre Road from Breinton Ridge (as in floods of February 2014).

Dippy is correct, this is about the plan to build housing on a large area of fields just west of Whitecross School. 1000 houses sounds an awful lot.

If all our city rubbish will soon be going to a new incinerator at Hartlebury in Worcestershire, has anybody thought about the impact of all the dustcarts having to travel east?

A vision for more sustainable transport options in Hereford is excellent, but don't forget there are many folk who for various valid reasons won't be getting on a bike anytime soon. And for those, - without convenient buses/trams, most will continue to rely on cars. Also many people have such busy lives that they will always choose the quickest transport option, even if part of that is in a traffic jam. I would like to see most of Amanda's excellent list of suggestions for within-city movement given a try, but I also agree with GreenKnight that the connections from Hereford to everywhere else have to be improved too. For those of us not leaving Herefordshire often it is OK, but it is currently difficult for Hereford to attract high quality professionals, (e.g. doctors) who do need to travel as part of their work. Amanda, when you are out canvassing, listen to what people say they want, and see how their needs can be addressed.

A truly magnanimous gesture GK! A special treat for some of the Hereford Voice "family"!

I was looking to see if they have Google Streetview in the Netherlands (save the carbon footprint!) but I'm not sure they do.... But anyway it would be easy to compile a presentation of some best practice UK streetviews.

The narrow "houses and jobs" mission to grow the "economy" is not "one-size-fits-all" and it doesn't fit Herefordshire! Here we can still celebrate our assets, - our fantastic landscapes and amazing diversity of wildlife. We should be growing our economy on tourism and high-value but ethical specialist products. There are many places to look to for inspiration in revitalising Hereford, - even Birmingham, with those leafy inner-city courtyard developments. After the elections, can we have a sort of "Conference" where local people can come and explain all their great ideas? (There are many we have already heard of on Hereford Voice!) And then the New Administration will have that extra information with which to assess what can be done for the biggest benefits, but obviously with the constraints of small budgets. So there's got to be a New Administration!!