Canal Restoration Wins Planning Appeal for Trading Estate

A recent Planning Application for the redevelopment of the Holmer Trading Estate, Hereford, which included plans to restore a further section of the Hereford and Gloucester Canal, including proposals for 115 new homes, together with a small convenience store, in addition to considerable local employment and retail floor space, was turned down by Herefordshire Council. 

 

As part of the redevelopment of the site, the developer had agreed to restore the adjacent section of the Hereford and Gloucester Canal, and to transfer freehold of the Canal and Aylestone Tunnel to the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust.

 

However, the developers took the Application to an Appeal. As a result, the decision has been reversed. In his summing up of the case, the Planning Inspector said ....

“… the likely benefits associated with the re-opening of the Canal would be substantial. It seems to me that this is an important section of the Canal in terms of achieving the Unitary Development Plans long-term restoration aims.” ... “Restoration of the length of Canal indicated in the Obligation would add substantially to the significance of the Canal as a feature within the City. In my judgement, the benefit of the scheme to the restoration
of the Canal is sufficient to tip the balance in favour of allowing the Appeal....”

 

It seems very clear that the proposed restoration of the Hereford and Gloucester Canal
was crucial to the Inspector, and persuaded him, on balance, to grant the Appeal.

 

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This is a great result for The Canal Trust, and for the Canal Restoration project.

 

Further details can be found in our quarterly magazine, The Wharfinger, Edition 102.