Since Tuesday 10th Feb the Planning Inspector has heard views from property developers, local residents, parish and county councillors about the strategy, justification and need for building 16,500 new homes across Herefordshire until 2031.
Herefordshire Council currently does not have a 5 year housing land supply (5YHLS). Developers have claimed that even on adoption of the plan the council will still fail in this regard. A 5 YHLS is important for planning as under the National Planning Policy Framework if a Council fails to deliver a 5YHLS then developers can apply for development at any site that is deemed “Sustainable”. This is why so many planning applications have been made in the last 18 months right across Herefordshire, many on Greenfield sites. If Herefordshire Council continues to fail to meet this criteria then it no longer can direct suitable locations for development and this “free for all” will continue.
It was heard that certain strategic sites mentioned in the Core Strategy may well become formal planning applications in the next few months, ahead of the Council’s Hereford Area Plan – which historically was supposed to plan the allocation of 6,500 houses across the city and in the parishes surrounding it.
Housing relies on fresh water supplies and removal of waste water, (usually ending up in Rivers either after treatment or through soakaways). This means that housing growth needs to be supported by Welsh Water; The Environment Agency and Natural England via a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) as currently housing growth and changing agricultural practises risk damaging and polluting the River Wye, a European SAC. There was much frustration shown at the end of a long day on Tuesday when after 5pm the public and developers were told that Herefordshire Council had posted new evidence on their website. One of these documents, an HRA report (prepared by LUC working for Herefordshire Council ) had been in the Council’s possession since Sept 2014, but the Council had failed to make it public until the day before the issues to which it related were due to be discussed.
On the start of day 2 our Here for Hereford Representative asked the Inspector which version of the HRA report was being considered during the examination. The Inspector had to look into the matter as she herself was not certain which document she had been given and whether it was the same the public, CPRE and developers had seen to comment on!
The Inspector has made it clear that Herefordshire Council has much “homework” to do on the Plan, stating clearly what housing and infrastructure comes forward when, where and who is responsible for delivery, highlighting critical points in the Plan.
Other elements of the Core Strategy relate to location of employment sites and movement (i.e. transport policies to help all the new and existing residents of the County with a much higher population). Thursday 12th Feb will hear much more detailed debate about the location and delivery of 6,500 homes in “Hereford” (means 3 different things depending on which plan issue is being discussed). This day starts with consideration of transport policies for Hereford, including the Western Relief Road.
More will be written on these elements separately. Public are welcome to attend the EIP at Hedley Lodge, Belmont Abbey, Hereford.
We will try and keep posting brief updates on our Twitter and Facebook accounts but difficult when preparing to give evidence and when detailed documents are released at the last minute and need to be read. Other reports are available from Its Our County who are speaking, along with Green Party Councillors at the debate. We are not aware of any press or media reporters in attendance.
