Hereford and Worcester Gardens Trust’s opposition to Proposals for an inner western ‘relief road’ across the historic landscapes of Belmont and Breinton.
The route chosen runs in close proximity to Breinton and Warham and through the Belmont estate. It is intensively intrusive and will damage some of best countryside within walking distance of Hereford. Both landscapes, set in interesting topography, combining waterside meadows and corridors of woodland, are accessible by rights of way. Moreover, the natural beauty on both sides of the river has been enhanced by human agencies through many centuries.
Breinton has been a treated as a quiet retreat from the bustle of Hereford at least since the 12th century, when the treasurer of the cathedral established a country house at Breinton Springs – now marked generically as an ‘earthwork’ and protected by the National Trust. Between Warham and Wyecliffe there are almost continuous pleasure grounds marked by ornamental planting, orchards and glimpses of fine architecture, both Victorian and Georgian. This landscape would be damaged beyond repair by the chosen inner western route, especially where it breaks out of the intimate countryside around Breinton and crosses the river.
The various routes identified for the Hereford relief road all cut through the Belmont parkland; some run very close to the house and its walled garden. Not only would this destroy an important historic landscape, but it would make the existing golf course and Belmont House untenable. The house itself was designed by James Wyatt and later altered by E.W. Pugin, two pre-eminent architects, from two different periods. It is a disgrace that it has been neglected for so many years and that planning permission was granted several years ago for a new hotel, when the old house would have suited this role so perfectly. With the relief road rising out of cutting two hundred yards away, it would never be restored.
Breinton and Belmont tick all the boxes for fulfilling the Council’s green aspirations. Within this area – so close to the city – there are opportunities for play areas, parks, allotments, green spaces, cultural and sports facilities and habitat recreation. Few other comparable cities can claim to have such valuable assets within walking distance for c. 50,000 people – not to mention the many tourists who come to enjoy the Middle Wye and make Hereford their base.
Copyright : David Whitehead for The Hereford and Worcester Gardens Trust, 2010
