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"Our vision is for a sustainable City, providing the homes and jobs needed by all sections of the community while ensuring that the unique and special environment of Herefordshire is protected. Working in partnership with the Government will be a key factor in achieving this vision".
Councillor Roger Phillips, Leader of the Herefordshire Council.
The cathedral city of Hereford forms a natural focus for its County, centrally located and at the hub of existing road and public transport networks. Its role as a focus in the sub region, recognised in the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy, reflects the extensive hinterland of the City for jobs, health, educational and many other services. However, limits on transport capacity restrict the extent to which Hereford can currently accommodate new development. In addition the economy of the area is relatively fragile, while rising house prices have led to an increasing need to provide additional affordable housing. Herefordshire Council will develop plans and proposals for growth to ensure that Hereford is able to fulfil its sub-regional role. In supporting Hereford as a New Growth Point, the Government is entering into a long-term partnership with Herefordshire Council, recognising their ambitions for growth, subject to the statutory regional and local planning process.
Local partners' ambitions for Hereford include:
Levels of growth will be subject to comprehensive testing and public consultation through the regional and local planning processes to ensure that individual proposals are sustainable, acceptable environmentally and realistic in terms of infrastructure. For Hereford future work will include using the findings of a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and a Water Cycle Study to inform decisions on levels and locations of growth and mitigation measures; working closely with Welsh Water and the Environment Agency to deliver water efficiency savings and ensure sufficient water resources are available to support growth; completing a Green Infrastructure Strategy to integrate green infrastructure into new development and mitigate any adverse impacts; and working with the Department for Transport to assess the impacts of growth proposals on the transport network and to develop sustainable transport solutions.
Achieving these ambitions will depend on a range of public and private funding programmes, including developer contributions. Government is committing to work with local partners to achieve sustainable growth to get the best outcomes from this investment and to help overcome obstacles to delivery. In support of Herefordshire's growth ambitions Government is allocating around £200,000 in 2007-08 from the first year's funding pot, subject to detailed negotiation and appraisal. Future funding is dependent upon the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007.
For further information on proposals for Hereford please contact Kevin Singleton at Herefordshire Council on 01432 260137 or email: ks1@herefordshire.gov.uk.
As a new Growth Point Herefordshire's aim is to build around 8,500 homes by 2016.
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