Proposed Development of Up to 540 Homes in Hereford Detailed

An application has been submitted by a developer for the construction of as many as 540 new residences on Hereford’s southern periphery. This project, situated primarily on agricultural land located between Lower Bullingham Road and Watery Lane, is intended to represent the initial stage of the city’s southern urban growth, as outlined in the county’s strategic plans. Bloor Homes Western stated in its preliminary planning submission that it intends for 35%, equivalent to 189, of the proposed dwellings to be designated as affordable housing. Given that the site is relatively low-lying and frequently experiences flooding, the developer’s application incorporates various flood mitigation strategies. Watery Lane was one of the roadways recently rendered impassable in the aftermath of Storm Bert. The broader scheme for the city’s southern expansion is detailed within Herefordshire Council’s primary planning document, which is presently undergoing revision. Bloor’s specific proposal includes approximately five hectares of land designated for employment purposes to the east, alongside a community hub, a retail outlet, a country park, and additional public open spaces. Current industrial structures on the site are slated for demolition. This initial phase of the application seeks endorsement for the integration of the proposed development with the existing transportation infrastructure, primarily through the construction of a new roundabout on the Rotherwas Access Road. Regarding the area’s susceptibility to flooding, Bloor affirmed its intention to implement “sustainable urban drainage and flood mitigation solutions” and to construct “on land predominantly outside of the identified floodplain”. Furthermore, the developer indicated that provisions would be established to facilitate occasional access for residents, businesses, and emergency services when alternative local routes, which are known to be prone to flooding, become impassable. The designs incorporate water storage ponds that are “sized to accommodate the predicted future increase in rainfall”, with the aim of preventing the development from exacerbating flood risk downstream in the direction of the Wye River. A supplementary flood risk assessment asserts that it will “demonstrate that the proposed development is at an acceptable level of flood risk”, provided that the proposed mitigation strategies are implemented. Bloor also outlines a prospective second phase of the development, situated further to the west, which would encompass approximately 400 additional residences, a new primary school, and a park-and-ride facility adjacent to the A49. The information presented in this report was compiled by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, an entity responsible for covering local government bodies and other public service organizations. For further updates, BBC Hereford & Worcester can be followed on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.