Permission for six maisonettes and four flats refused

Members of the central area planning sub-committee have refused planning permission for six two-bedroomed maisonettes and four two-bedroomed flats on land to the rear of Prospect Place, St Martins Avenue, Hereford, expressing strong concerns in relation to the safety of the access onto St Martins Avenue.

The site falls within Hereford City Conservation Area, an Area of Archaeological Importance, is within a category three flood zone and is identified as an established residential area within the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

The Environment Agency currently object to the development because it lies within flood zone 3 of the River Wye and is therefore considered to be at high risk of flooding.

Herefordshire Council's conservation manager supported the bold contemporary design would make a positive addition to the conservation area and commented that the proposal "… vividly expresses our aspirations for the city, elevating the standard for development and providing an interesting juxtaposition between the Victorian and Georgian properties in the locality and modern architecture of the 21st century."

Hereford City Council recommended refusal feeling the scheme was over-intensive development.

Twenty one letters of objection were received. The main points raised were the site has significant historical interest to Hereford and that the contemporary design was harmful to the character of the area. Concerns were also expressed at an increase in traffic and the fact the site is in a flood plain.