Mandarins in the government’s corridors of power have given Herefordshire’s 178,000 residents just 11 days to respond to a major planning paper involving the county’s future housing, jobs, waste disposal and transport.
Known as the West Midands Regional Spatial Strategy Phase 2 Revision Draft, the heavyweight document was published by consultants Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners on October 7. But government minister Margaret Beckett has ordained that all replies to a consultation must be in by Monday, December 8, after Herefordshire Council issued a media release on the subject yesterday.
The council acted independently, rightly thinking that the public should be told as soon as possible of the caravan-loving Minister’s timetable, issued by the regional agency, the Government Office for the West Midlands.
“As one of the most rural counties in the West Midlands, it is vital that people in Herefordshire take part in the debate, and have their say on what they feel needs to be done to make the county more sustainable”, said council director of regeneration Geoff Hughes.
In the next 11 days, the public is asked to consider such key issues at the heart of the strategy as housing, jobs, waste disposal and transport.
“The original proposal was for 16,600 new homes by 2026, with half of them in Hereford itself.
“The latest proposals could add a further 1,200 – but the key question is where should they be built?” says the council release.
The strategy sees 111 hectares (275 acres) set aside in the county for industry, but “how much office and retail development is needed, and where should it go?
“Hereford city has been identified as a strategic centre, which means it could be a focus for this development – do you agree with this?” asks the release.
It also asks if the county can manage its own waste, how much can be diverted away from landfill, how many parking spaces will be needed for developments, and how public transport and accessibility should be taken into account.
Also underlining the importance of taking on board the public’s response is West Midlands Assembly chairman Councillor David S.Smith.
“It is very important now that we hear from as many individuals, businesses and organisations in Herefordshire as possible.
“The work that we are now doing and the decisions made following on from the consultation will have a major impact on their area over the next 20 years and beyond.”
Assembly director of policy Mark Middleton told the Journal: “We submitted our revisions to the Minister (then Caroline Flint) last December, and she came back and said we needed more houses and she would commission another study.
“The deadlines were extended, taking them from late spring to now, and the minister changed to Margaret Beckett.
“The study has been delayed by a year because of the minister’s interventions – but it’s not our study, it’s the government’s.”
Public responses should go to Govt Office for the West Midlands, 5 St Philips Place, Birmingham, B32PW or to wm.panelsecretary@ gown.gsi.gov.uk
lThe Journal Says
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