Edgar Street Grid consultation
A crucial seminar involving businesses and other stakeholders with an interest in Hereford City Centre took place today to lay down some guidelines for the design of the Edgar Street Grid development.
The development - the biggest facelift the city has ever seen – was discussed by representatives of more than 60 organisations who met at the Courtyard Centre for the Arts today, Tuesday, November 7.
The seminar is part of continuing work by Herefordshire Council on a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for this area of Hereford.
The SPD will provide an urban design framework for the Grid, guiding landowners, developers and the community on the form development proposals should take – expanding on and adding further detail to the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan (UDP).
The SPD, together with the UDP will be used for Development Control purposes in determining relevant planning applications.
The seminar provided details of the current work being undertaken on the Grid area, including presentations from consultants who have been recently commissioned by ESG Herefordshire Limited to refine and update the 2004 ESG Masterplan, particularly in terms of urban design, retail development and movement.
Workshops looked in more depth at:
· Regeneration/commercial/business issues
· Historic/natural environment/landscape principles
· Movement and accessibility
· Design principles
An innovative card game was used to examine sustainable development aspects of the Grid development.
The information gathered from this initial consultation will be documented in a consultation statement and will be used to assist preparation of the SPD.
Cllr Phil Edwards, cabinet member (Environment), welcomed the level of interest in the event and said: “This seminar event with stakeholders is an early opportunity to discuss the design issues of new development within the Grid area.
“It will help the Council prepare its design framework document, ensuring that future proposals address sustainability criteria and are of a high quality design.”
The SPD will be subject to full public consultation when a draft has been prepared, expected in early summer next year.
