Council's site for new livestock market given go ahead

Herefordshire Council’s community services scrutiny committee has determined that the council’s favoured site for Hereford’s new livestock market is the right one. It recommends that the council go ahead to relocate the market from the Edgar Street Grid, near the centre of Hereford, to the ‘Griffiths Field’ site to the north west of the city, releasing valuable development land for regeneration.

Today’s announcement (Monday 15 January) came after more than five hours and three meetings of formal questioning, investigations and deliberations by the scrutiny committee who ‘called in’ the cabinet decision to build the new market with landscaping in part of the 48-acre field along the Roman Road.

Councillor Chris Chappell, chair of the scrutiny committee, commented: “The scrutiny committee sought to ensure that full consultation into the site had taken place, that the public had had every opportunity to have their say and that the best and most economically viable site had been chosen and that the site represents value for money for the council. We were satisfied on all counts, but only after the case for alternative sites had been thoroughly considered”.

The scrutiny committee will also put forward a number of its own recommendations: that the council should consider increasing the rent payable by auctioneers for the new market; that all necessary highways and transport improvements are in place before the new market opens; and that local residents are consulted on the design and build at the pre-planning stage of the new market, which should be supported by appropriate landscaping; that appropriate transport links from the new site to Hereford City be put in place; and that high quality buildings be constructed on the new site.

During the scrutiny process, the council leader, elected members, senior council officers and representatives from the livestock auctioneers, local business, tourism and the landowning and farming community, were systematically quizzed on whether the council’s preferred site could be justified. As well as two public meetings, the committee discussed in private the commercially sensitive aspects of the site. The recommended site was found to be the most cost effective of the six options.

Councillor Charles Mayson, cabinet member for rural regeneration and strategy, said: “We have now come to the end of around ten years of investigation by a series of council administrations, and over a year of consulting local people, community groups, businesses, farmers and livestock dealers. I congratulate the scrutiny team on doing a very thorough and challenging job on behalf of local people – and most of all I am grateful to every local resident who took the time and trouble to contribute to this important debate. We now have a recommended site and a way forward that will change Hereford for good.”

Farming representatives argued that Herefordshire is a traditional prime livestock area, home of the world-famous Hereford cattle, and supports 25 per cent of the county landscape in attractive pasture that in turn brings in tourism and people wishing to live in the best quality environment. The chamber of commerce and representatives of the tourism industry also agreed that the site chosen was the most suitable.

The scrutiny committee agreed that local residents would be involved in the design and build of the new market, which is likely to comprise two sales rings, sheep and cattle pens and further agricultural businesses, as well as parking. It was confirmed that the design would include a concrete platform and membrane to protect the underground aquifer from contamination. Rainwater will be harvested and recycled water used for washing and cleaning and biomass heating, providing a carbon neutral solution. It was stressed that no housing would be allowed on the site and only ancillary agricultural businesses would be considered.

Griffiths Field was one of six sites studied in the area – the others being Stretton Sugwas, Hospital Farm at Burghill, the Quarry site, Sugwas Farm and a plot near Barnsfield Drive. In moving the market from its presently dilapidated 7.9-acre site on the Edgar Street Grid in Hereford, the council will release prime land for retail, leisure and service business development, breathing new life into this area of Hereford and alleviating traffic flow in the city on market days.

Councillor Chappell added: “I am pleased that local people have seen the scrutiny committee demonstrate democracy in action and all the issues investigated thoroughly on their behalf. Our conclusion and recommendation now paves the way for exciting new developments that will benefit the people of Hereford, from all walks of life, for generations to come”.