Some twenty years ago Herefordshire Council indicated a preference for an eastern route as a by-pass for Hereford. An alternative western route was also discussed but in the end, as we all know, nothing was done.
At the time of the original proposals, many agricultural products were in surplus and the importance of agricultural land was not considered as important as it most definitely is today. Everything has changed. Increases in world population, global warming, world rainfall problems are together making everyone realise that future food supplies are far from assured. Agricultural land is under increasing pressure all over the world and the U.K. will be directly affected as we only produce 60% of our present food supplies. The present rise in food prices is just an early indication of the effect of a growing shortage of nearly all agricultural products worldwide.
A western by-pass for Hereford would involve large areas of Grade1 and Grade 2 land. The Agricultural Land Classification system refers to these grades of land as the “best and most versatile land” which enjoys significant protection from development. Breinton has these two top grades of agricultural land, a scarce and valuable resource which could be lost forever to tarmac, concrete and buildings. It would constitute an act of irresponsible vandalism to take such valuable land for road making and infill housing when alternatives are possible. Herefordshire Council should wake up to the fact that the future role of agriculture has changed and that it can no longer be ignored.
(Richard Newcombe – retired farmer, Hoarwithy)
