Border Group Parish Action Plan

Six rural parishes in the north of the County have formulated an Action Plan, in partnership with Herefordshire Council, to identify needs and solutions for issues affecting their communities.

The Border Group Parish “blueprint” for the future has been presented to Herefordshire Council leader Roger Phillips and Member for Mortimer Cllr Olwyn Barnett who praised the community’s initiative.

Called Pride of Place, the plan is designed to “take the lead in identifying parish needs and will guide the Border Group Parish Council in its future work for the parish”.

The Border Parish Group comprises the parishes of Buckton and Coxall; Brampton Bryan; Adforton; Walford, Letton and Newton; Lingen and Willey.

Council Leader, Cllr Roger Phillips, said: “Herefordshire Council recognises the importance of rural communities to the County as a whole and we’re committed to ensuring the sustainability of these more isolated areas.

“We look forward to working with the Border Group and helping them to deliver goals identified in the Action Plan.

“The Border Group is leading the way and this type of positive initiative is something we would encourage other parishes in the county to investigate.”

Richard Ambrose, BGPC Clerk, said: “This plan doesn’t look at an individual village but looks at the whole rural space which is different from traditional plans.

“We’ve addressed other areas such as agriculture, rural economies, and alternative energy and how they affect our future planning.

“This Action Plan is not the end but the beginning of the way the Parish Council is going to move forward.

“It’s hoped the Action Plan will provide Supplementary Planning Guidance to Herefordshire’s UDP (Unitary Development Plan) and be subject to review and modification. “

Cllr Olwyn Barnett, added: “I hope other parishes in the ward will follow suit.”


Issues addressed in the action plan include:

· Housing and planning
· Transport and highways
· Health care
· Education and recreation
· Tourism
· Waste disposal
· Rural business

The Border Group Parish plan was produced with partners the Border Group Parish Council, Countryside Agency, Community First (in Herefordshire and Worcester) and Herefordshire Council.