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Ross-on-Wye Town Council objects to plans for an additional 1500 homes

Ross-on-Wye Town Council has responded to the Place Shaping Options Consultation, with an objection to the proposals for the town and the potential development of an additional 1500 houses.

The full letter, which has been sent to Herefordshire Council, can be viewed below:

Dear Sir or Madam

Place Shaping Options Consultation Response

Ross-on-Wye Town Council objects to the proposals for Ross-on-Wye in the Local Plan 2021-2041 Place Shaping Options consultation and believes the development of 1500 additional houses for Ross-on-Wye is inappropriate for the following reasons:

• Climate Change – with poor public transport provision and a lack of access to rail transport in Ross, delivering such a large number of additional housing in Ross will have a detrimental impact on the environment as car use will be increased.

• Ross-on-Wye is the only Market Town in an AONB. Development on the scale and in the locations proposed will have a negative impact on the landscape as well as exacerbating the River Wye pollution issues, which have recently been increasing dramatically.

• These proposals would breach the Ross-on-Wye Neighbourhood Development Plan settlement boundary. The plan only went to referendum and was adopted recently (2021), yet it has been disregarded. Herefordshire Council encourages Towns and Parishes to engage with the Neighbourhood Planning process by citing the importance of creating a plan to influence development in your local area. These proposals completely disregard the wishes of the residents of Ross.

• Ross-on-Wye has delivered in excess of the current Local Plan allocation, but this hasn’t been taken into account. There is a lack of infrastructure to support an additional 1500 houses in addition to current commitments and those already delivered during the current plan period.

• There is poor connectivity for any development East of the A40. This has previously been cited by Herefordshire Council as being a consideration for refusing development in this area.

• Area 4 (Broadmeadows/Tanyard) is an extremely significant and complex site and the Town Council is supportive of this site being developed, but it requires a holistic approach, rather than piecemeal development.

Yours faithfully

Mrs Carla Boyles

Deputy Town Clerk

Details on the plans for Ross-on-Wye: https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1654773815/projects/61c08cc79b0f2a77b3e65790/media-upload/pjlh2z4nqddia9gwilmn.pdf

A simple guide on how to use the consultation system that can be found here: https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/commonplace-customer-assets/hlp/A+guide+on+how+to+navigate+the+Place+Making+Consultation.pdf

The consultation can be found here: Have Your Say Today – Herefordshire Local Plan 2021-2041 – Commonplace

Ross-on-Wye Market House receives funding from Wolfson Foundation for urgent repairs

Ross-on-Wye Town Council has been awarded a grant of £50,000 from the Wolfson Foundation towards the urgent repairs which are needed to restore and protect Ross-on-Wye’s historic Grade II* listed Market House. This is in addition to the £112,780 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Over the years the Market House has suffered extensive stone erosion and urgently requires specialist conservation. The stone window surrounds are so badly eroded that there is a serious risk of the glass falling out and the windows being boarded up. This would severely restrict use of the building, jeopardising its future, and harming the character of the town.

The work will not only be for conservation and restoration repairs to the fabric of the building, but there are also a number of legacy projects planned, including new interpretation boards to tell the story of the Market House and its wider historical context, and an app-based tour telling the history of Ross, which will provide an engaging walk of the town, and is due to launch in the coming weeks.

Working with local Nature and Wildlife Groups we will seek to create a ‘Hedgehog Hub’ to share the story of the hedgehog as the town’s historic emblem in order to raise awareness of the serious decline in hedgehog numbers and engage people with wildlife conservation.

At the end of the work a special exhibition, in partnership with Made in Ross, will be launched to celebrate the building and its heritage.

The works is due to start this Spring, with final completion expected to be approximately November.

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Ross-on-Wye Trails

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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Explore Ross-on-Wye’s Trails

The new Ross-on-Wye Trails app has been created by Ross Town Council and is now available to download from the App Store and Google Play. On the app we hope to develop a wide range of walks including historical, local points of interest, accessible, short strolls and much more.

The first trail is Ross-on-Wye Highlights which includes some of the main focal points of the town. The walk takes you through the town centre, which gives you the opportunity to stop off and enjoy our wonderful shops and eateries. It also takes you to part of the River Wye area, to enjoy the charming open space and views.

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Ross-on-Wye Town Council

Keep up to date with all Ross-on-Wye tourist information. The historic market town of Ross-on-Wye stands high on a sandstone bluff overlooking a horseshoe bend in the River Wye. The view is dominated by the spire of St Mary’s Church which is illuminated at night and can be seen for many miles. Above all, Ross-on-Wye Town Council is a parish council serving the people of Ross-on-Wye. Most importantly, we want to maintain and improve the quality of life in the historic market town of Ross-on-Wye because we are passionate about ensuring the town is a vibrant place for residents, businesses and visitors.

Altogether the Town Council is comprised of eighteen councillors representing the town’s three wards: North, East and West. Town Councillors are supported by officers based at the Corn Exchange, High Street, Ross-on-Wye.

Firstly, we provide and maintain a number of local services. For instance, the bandstand, arboretum and flower tubs. Secondly we are proactive in promoting and encouraging tourism to the town. E.g. visitors continue to enjoy the River Wye, independent shops and attractive streets. Thirdly, we also run the town’s regular Thursday and Saturday markets, which take place under the Market House.

In addition, the Council played a huge role in producing the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Harry Bramer, Louis Stark, Chris Bartrum and Ed O'Driscoll

Development set for employment land in Ross-on-Wye

The first phase of development work at Model Farm in Ross-on-Wye is set to go ahead following £8million funding commitment.

Hundreds of jobs are set to come to Ross on Wye following a £8million funding commitment by Herefordshire Council for the first phase of development at Model Farm.

The significant investment will enable development to start on the employment land next year (2024), establishing all the necessary infrastructure for the whole site including utility supply, road access and required changes to the A40.

Model Farm forms part of the Ross Town investment plan, which has been a driver of the need for this investment. When the first phase of work is complete the site will provide the opportunity for the private development of a mix of office and industrial space across four acres initially. This will then act as a catalyst for future phases of development across the remainder of the site.

Councillor Harry Bramer, Cabinet member, community services and assets, said: “If we’re to attract investment in the south of our county we need the right, high quality, built for purpose, infrastructure. Model Farm was identified several years ago as the preferred site for employment land development, and I’m delighted that we’ve now prioritised the funding to progress this.”

On behalf of Ross ward councillors, Councillor Ed O’Driscoll, Ward member Ross East, said: “On behalf of all councillors in Ross, I welcome this investment in the future of our town. We urgently need more quality employment and believe Model Farm will enable more residents to both live and work here.”

Press release by Herefordshire Council.

Ross-on-Wye Market House to get urgent repairs thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Ross-on-Wye Town Council has been awarded a £112,780 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to carry out urgent repairs which are needed to restore and protect Ross-on-Wye’s historic Grade II* listed Market House.

Last week it was confirmed that The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant had been awarded for this exciting heritage project on the Market House which has been central to the life of the town for over four centuries. It is expected the works will start Spring 2024 for final completion expected to be approximately November 2024.

The work will not only be for conservation and restoration repairs to the fabric of the building, there are also a number of legacy projects planned, including new interpretation boards to tell the story of the Market House and its wider historical context. An app-based tour telling the history of Ross which will provide an engaging walk of the town, in addition to working with createRoss to add to their Museum Without Walls Augmented Reality exhibits which celebrate the history of the town and bring the past to life for residents and visitors.

At the end of the work a special exhibition, in partnership with Made in Ross, will be launched to celebrate the building and its heritage.

Sarah Robson, the Town Clerk said: “We are delighted to have received this support thanks to the National Lottery players and are pleased the project will offer the opportunity to conserve this magnificent building. The Market House is such an iconic landmark within the town and it’s exciting to know that the restoration will enable residents and visitors alike to continue to enjoy it for many decades to come.”

We will be keeping residents updated on the work as it progresses via our website, newsletter, social media channels and local press.

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Town Council’s aspirations set out in Riverside Management Plan

‘Riverside Management Plan’ is not a phrase that has been widely used in Ross-on-Wye until recently. Our town’s beautiful riverside is at the heart of the residents’ daily lives, a great visitor attraction and one of our greatest natural assets. The Town Council’s Management Plan sets out how, working with partner organisations, including The Wye Valley AONB and Natural England plus volunteers, it will ensure that the riverside biodiversity, environmental and ecological impact is developed and enhanced.

The River Wye forms the western boundary of the town and plays an integral part of the town’s green space areas. They include the Rope Walk and Long Acre, covering approximately 1 kilometre in length. Investment and hard work over the last few years has seen more of the riverside become accessible to all and enhanced with planting, ensuring that it has become a major focus for amenity, leisure, and relaxation.

Duncan Rowe, Operations Manager, said: “The Riverside Management Plan sets out the aspirations on how the Town Council will oversee the riverside and amenity areas between now and 2028. Our vision is to build and maintain a successful amenity and wildlife habitat for the future, and to conserve the landscape and its natural features as well as the wildlife. The area covered in the Riverside Management Plan is a rich asset with large areas of open green space, set on the floodplain and with areas managed as floodplain meadow.”

Some of the actions in the Riverside Management Plan include; to maintain the riverbank with established management regimes, tackle invasive non-native species, protect wildlife within the park by increasing biodiversity through planting and habitat creation and to promote the health benefits of using the park.

You can read the full Riverside Management Plan here.

Town Council shows support for Dementia Action Week

Dementia Action Week took place from 15^th – 21^st May and it was a busy week in Ross-on-Wye.

The community came together and there was a fun packed week of events including: an afternoon tea at Ross Community Garden, a dementia friendly Church Service organised through Churches Together, held at St Mary’s Church, a raffle at the Wye Wednesday Market in aid of Ross Meeting Centre, a film screening of Love is a Many Splendored Thing at the Phoenix Theatre, a Tea Dance at the Larruperz Centre hosted by Ross Meeting Centre, a coffee morning at West Bank Residential Home, a raffle at Peter Hickman in aid of Ross Meeting Centre and a stall at Ross Market.

The events were organised through The Dementia Friendly Ross-on-Wye Group, set up with Town Council support to make Ross feel friendlier, safer and more caring for people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Ross-on-Wye Town Council gave funding to the group which enabled all the events to be offered for free.

The events were all so well supported, with over 60 people at the Tea Dance!

A Dementia Friendly Ross-on-Wye Group spokesperson said: “We met many new friends throughout the week and spoke to many people looking for help and support and have been able to signpost them to relevant services. We will use this momentum to continue to build upon the Community involvement, with more Dementia Friends Training planned for June, July and August and a Ross recognition of dementia friendly businesses and organisations to be launched later in the year.

“It has been a truly inspiring, joyful week and we thank everyone for their tremendous support in both making it happen and attending the events.”

If anyone would like any more information, please contact Elaine Leney, Coordinator, Ross Meeting Centre on 07506 992971 or email rossmeetingcentre@gmail.com

Police conduct operation in Ross-on-Wye

You may have spotted an extra police presence in town yesterday, Wednesday 17th May, this was all part of a planned operation to help and inform residents in Ross-on-Wye.

They were joined by Traffic Officers to catch speeding motorists on the busier/faster roads in the area with a focus on Project EDWARD (National Safe Speeds), with response officers in and around the town with speed guns who stopped vehicles for offences such as no MOT, no seatbelts and speeding.

Officers provided the following information regarding their traffic patrol:

10.35am – 11.10am at Wilmot House, How Caple. (50mph) 50 vehicles checked. Highest speed of 51mph.

11:30am – 12:05pm at Old Gore Crossroads (40mph) 24 vehicles checked- very light traffic. Highest speed of 48mph.

1:10pm – 2.20pm, Weston Under Penyard (30mph) 69 vehicles checked, highest speed of 39mph. 1xTOR for lighting offence.

OPU (traffic officers) also caught a drink driver.

Officers were also on pushbikes patrolling and monitoring the distance that vehicles are passing pushbikes. Offending vehicles were captured on camera and then reported to Op Snap where action will be taken.

Local officers were in the event van parked up in Morrisons and by the river to offer members of the public advice, free Smartwater and bike kit.

They also conducted open spaces reassurance patrols and knife sweeps including visits to shops that sell knives to ensure knives are not being sold to anyone under 18. Op Sceptre is the national campaign to raise awareness of knife crime.

Officers also visited licensed premises to promote HAND (Herefordshire Against Night time Disorder).

Rejuvenation project shows Council’s continued commitment to improving biodiversity within the town

Ross-on-Wye Town Council has undertaken a project to rejuvenate the ‘Scout Badge’ bed next to the Tennis Centre.

The bed has been planted with purple lavender, supplied by our regular Market Trader, Barbers Bridge Nursery and Florist, and the surround has seen a refreshing coat of white paint. These colours were chosen as they are the colours of the World Scout emblem.

It is anticipated that the lavender will be a rich source of nectar for bees and insects and help with the Town Council’s commitment to improve biodiversity within the town.

An opportunity to visit over 20 beautiful gardens in the town

Ross Open Gardens begins on Friday 19th May with their very own version of Gardener’s Question Time. Local gardening experts have been recruited to answer the audience’s questions, which can be submitted in advance, via the website, or on the night. The panel comprises well known faces that will be familiar to many: Tim Shelley (Ross Community Garden), Gary Twist (Ross Garden Store), Stacey Gibson (Dor’s Garden) and Jonathan Billinger (Leaf Creative). A fun evening, starting at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, with a bar and raffle is planned.

At the same time an exhibition of photographs titled Gardens Great and Small, by Ross Photo Club members, is being staged in the church and will continue through the weekend of Ross Open Gardens – 3rd and 4th June.

With 20 plus private and some public gardens, the Open Gardens weekend is offering an opportunity to see over the wall and into the much-cherished spaces of Ross’s gardeners. Ticket holders will be able to tour the gardens, many within walking distance of each other and enjoy refreshments in some. There will also be sculpture and artwork to view at a couple of the venues. Gardens are open between noon and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Full details and tickets for both events are available from the website at fosmross.org.uk/gardens The Garden Store and Rossiter Books.

Ross-on-Wye Trails

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Explore Ross-on-Wye’s Trails

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Ross-on-Wye Trails

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