Cllr Bob Matthews speech from LDF Consultation meeting on Monday 7th November 2011

Notes by Cllr. Bob Matthews

LDF CONSULTATION

To move forward, it is essential that we have a prosperous local economy providing secure, well-paid jobs; therefore we must make the most of the new enterprise zone based at Rotherwas.

See page 32, Draft Revised preferred options.

‘An Eastern Bypass for Hereford was proposed in 1991/2. Following the Public Inquiry, this initial proposal was withdrawn and a Traffic Conference was held to consider the traffic problems in the city and debate the possible solutions. The Conference concluded that there was strong support for a route to the east of the city. This recommendation was fully supported by the Local Authorities of the time.

Cabinet, most all other elected members + Iocal businessmen + M.P.’s and a clear majority of the public have stated that they prefer an Eastern outer relief road, yet we are told that the European SAC in respect of the River Lugg is the main obstacle to taking that route, but records show that it is only the River Wye that is registered as a European SAC.

S.S.S.I. (Refer to definition)

Numerous sites of a similar nature within the county: Letton/Kinnersley + riverside land at Breinton.

SAC caused by water seepage from high ground and bridges. Would cross river only a short distance from the water-intake system for the city of Hereford. Would be visually intrusive, and would disrupt fine and valued views of the area which would be in serious conflict with Govt. Policy for the protection of naturally recognised countryside, PPG7 refers. There would be light pollution plus a decrease in air quality aggravated by a high volume of westerly winds. A number of professional engineers and planners to whom I have spoken are of the opinion that there is no clear, best environmental option.

It is the view of many local people and that of both of our local MP’s that the Eastern route IS deliverable, so we should not listen to consultants, who have let us down on so many occasions in the past, but listen instead to our local businessmen and other local professionals, and take the Eastern route, which has always been the preferred one, whenever the issue. has been debated over the years, especially now that the new enterprise zone is based at Rotherwas.

Mr. Neil Hansen, Senior Planning Officer WM, in a letter to Mr. Andrew Ashcroft, stated ‘Clear funding sources have yet to be identified for a possible Outer Distributor Road. If a core strategy policy or proposal is not deliverable because it is not economically viable, it should not be in the core strategy’. The Housebuilders Federation recently forecast that the Construction Industry will not return to something like full production until at least 2015/16. It would appear there will be very little revenue available through the housing levy scheme, so where do they propose getting the necessary finances for the construction of the road from?

MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE A SITE VISIT A T THIS STAGE

Example of SAC applications elsewhere being overcome. (give examples) See list + Brecon Beacons National Park. Prime Minister’s comments re. High Speed Railway route.

Inspector’s Report (comments)

Inspector’s recommendations have been frequently overturned with minor amendments.

Consultant’s Report Parsons Brinckerhoff Summary of Findings.

Item 1. P.30 ‘Amey also concludes (and we agree) that all routes will be subjected to environmental challenges, indeed they state’ there is no clear best environmental option as each route corridor performs differently to the different sub- objectives’

Item2. P.30 The impact on the air quality of Hereford City Centre is a key issue that needs to be confirmed. In the event that a reduction in air quality is predicted from any of the options, this will be sufficient to exclude that option from consideration.

P.18. Main Report.

Our review of the schemes and identified impacts/distribution of sites affected/length of scheme suggests that the clear distinction between Eastern and Western routes (with one being large or moderate Adverse and the other routinely slight adverse) may be overly simplistic. Schemes of this length with large land take in undeveloped areas will potentially have a large adverse effect upon the Historic Environment simply due to their length. In fact the whole report raises various issues and concerns.

Eastern route is cheaper and would be along reasonably flat terrain whereas the western route would be extremely visible, with eye-level bridge crossings. This would result in pollution of River Wye.

HOUSING

I would respectfully suggest that there should be far more ‘joined up’ thinking in respect of housing development. I believe that we have reached the time when we should be talking to some of the businesses which are based near to the city centre, with a view to them re-locating on to established business parks, thus freeing up land for housing development on brownfield sites, which would fully fund their re-location expenses. It has recently been reported that the U.K. is importing more of its food, and therefore it is imperative that we protect our high-grade agricultural land, which will be vital for food production to feed our ever-increasing population. I support the principle of growth, and the requirement for a reasonable number of affordable houses, but the whole process should be economically driven rather than housing-target led.

Let us put the road and houses where they are needed. This is a decision for Herefordians, not outsiders, and the new Localism Bill fully supports that approach.

We have a duty and responsibility and indeed it is IMPERA TIVE that WE get this right for the future viability, not to mention the well-being of the future of Herefordshire.

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