CPRE Herefordshire Annual Report October 2012

ISSUE 6 OCTOBER 2012
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
CPRE Herefordshire’s 2012 AGM will be held at the
Bishop’s House on Saturday 3rd November at 2pm.
We are the country of Shakespeare: most
people would be happy to say that is
England’s greatest gift to the wide world.
But in fact there’s an even greater gift –
which is our landscape. In absolutely
decisive ways, we made it. We continue to
make it. And because it is our greatest
achievement, it is also our greatest
responsibility to look after it.
Sir Andrew Motion
CPRE’s new National President

CONTRIBUTORS
Bob Widdowson
Ros Bradbury
Ian Jardin
Barbara Bromhead-Wragg
Penny Farquhar Oliver
KEEP IN
TOUCH...
You can keep up-to-date with all
the latest news and information
by visiting our website at
www.cpreherefordshire.org.uk
You can also contact the branch
by the following methods:
By email...
Please send any comments
or letters to:
contactus@cpreherefordshire.org.uk
Secretary David Phelps
davidsphelps@yahoo.co.uk
Chairman Bob Widdowson
rw@gumpol.demon.co.uk
By phone...
David Phelps 01432 279185
Bob Widdowson 01544 230050
© MMXI1 CPRE Herefordshire. The contents of this publication are
subject to copyright protection and reproduction in whole or in part,
whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden without the
prior consent of CPRE. All details were correct at the time of going to
press but may change at the publisher’s discretion.
Registered Charity No. 213951
Designed by Wayne Summers
t 01544 262 794 e wayne@waynesummers.co.uk
It is, quite simply, the most radical shakeup of the
planning system in our time. After months of
consultation, thousands of public responses, a swell of
media criticism and much heated political debate, the
Government has finally unveiled its new National
Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Throughout the consultation process, CPRE has
been a leading voice in favour of strong
planning regulations, and expressed its
concerns about the draft document’s failure to
recognise the value of our ordinary
countryside, 52% of which has no special
environmental designation or protection. We
had been curious to see just how the final NPPF
would condense over 1,000 pages of previous
legislation into a mere 50.
The Government appears to have listened to
CPRE, our members and supporters and other
campaigners’ concerns, and incorporated some
of our key objectives in the final NPPF –
including a clearer definition of sustainable
development, an explicit recognition of the
value of the countryside as a whole, and a
revived emphasis on building on previously
developed brownfield sites rather than unspoilt
green spaces.
However, the Government’s self-proclaimed
pro-growth agenda means that we will have to
remain vigilant about whether such growth
comes at the expense of the countryside.
OUR REACTION
We were very reassured that the Minister, Greg
Clark, recognised the intrinsic value of the
ordinary countryside “whether specifically
designated or not” and stated that the five
principles of the UK Sustainable Development
Strategy are included in the document.
The test will be whether the NPPF document is
clear when put in practice. If the actual
wording is vague or open to interpretation, it
could undo the good intentions and slow
everything down.
The NPPF’s deadline for local plans will place
councils under pressure. Herefordshire Council’s
Local Development Framework is not planned
to be adopted before Spring 2014.
MATCHLESS COUNTRYSIDE
Shortly before the release of the NPPF, Prime
Minister David Cameron praised the planning
vision of the CPRE co-founder Sir Patrick
Abercrombie in a key speech on infrastructure
at the Institute of Civil Engineering, saying that
he hoped to emulate Abercrombie’s ideal of
well-planned homes. It is worth remembering
that Abercrombie was also a fierce critic of
governments risking beautiful countryside for
economic gain and who pointed out: ‘It is a
matter for serious thought that at periods of
financial stress it is always beauty that is
sacrificed upon the altar of expediency.’
Only time will tell whether the Government’s
long-awaited new planning framework will truly
protect, rather than sacrifice, the beauty of our
countryside. Needless to say, CPRE will be
scrutinising the full NPPF in detail over the
coming days - and will be continuing to work
within the planning system, and with the
Government, local authorities and
communities, defending what Greg Clark
rightly called ‘our matchless countryside.’
2

NPPF AT A GLANCE...
GREEN
Improved/Good
AMBER
Unchanged/Caution
RED
Poor/Area for Concern
GREEN: INTRINSIC VALUE
One of the most worrying aspects of the
draft NPPF was its omission of the previous
policy requirement that all countryside
should be recognised as intrinsically
valuable for its own sake, not just specially
designated sites. Minister Greg Clark
confirmed that the final policy recognises
the intrinsic character and beauty of the
countryside, ‘whether specifically
designated or not’. While this does not mean
no development in the countryside, it should
help ensure that building on green fields is
not a first resort.
GREEN: LOCAL PLANS
The NPPF clearly stressed that all decisions
on development must be taken in line with
locally agreed plans and policies, unless
other relevant issues indicate otherwise. We
also welcomed the Government’s response to
calls to allow local authorities time to get
their local plans up to date before the
presumption in favour of sustainable
development kicks in, although it will be a
challenge for many authorities to finalise
their plans within the new 12 month
deadline.
GREEN: LIGHT POLLUTION AND
TRANQUILLITY
The inclusion of policies to enable local
authorities to combat light pollution, by
encouraging good design and planning and
better lighting controls is a good thing. We
hope that more local authorities will now
seek to limit the impact from artificial light
on local amenity, intrinsically dark
landscapes and the natural environment.
Also welcome is the first reference in
national policy to the need to identify and
protect areas of tranquillity. We will be
supporting this policy to protect and
enhance areas of tranquillity for their
contribution to health and quality of life.
AMBER: SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
Many were concerned that while the draft
NPPF championed ‘sustainable
development’ at all costs, it signally failed
to spell out exactly what that meant. The
final NPPF provides rather more detail on
what such development should entail,
referencing the key principles of the UK
Sustainable Development Strategy, and
Greg Clark reiterated to Parliament that
environmental and social aspects were key
elements of sustainable projects. However,
there was still a lack of clarity over what
sustainable development might mean in
practice, and a lack of UK-specific
environmental limits.
AMBER: BUILDING ON
BROWNFIELD
The draft NPPF dispensed with the old
requirement that previously developed
brownfield land should be prioritised for
development, so we were pleased to note
that the final document explicitly
acknowledged that building on brownfield
should be a priority. However, the new
NPPF does not go as far as previous
policies in making sure that brownfield is
always prioritised over greenfield.
RED: GREEN VERSUS GROWTH?
While the Government has removed much
of the alarming language in the draft
NPPF, including the notorious ‘default yes’
to sustainable development, it continues
to call for ‘significant weight’ to be placed
on delivering economic growth, implying
that strong planning regulations are an
impediment to such growth. This is
something that CPRE has long questioned,
as our research shows that far from
holding back growth, sensible planning
has huge and lasting benefits for the
economy.
RED: HOUSING PRESSURE
Under the NPPF, the Government has still
retained its misguided approach to
requiring the planning system to make
available a five year supply of ‘deliverable’
housing land, plus an additional ‘buffer’
requirement of 5-20%, based on the
performance of local planning authorities.
While the approach is not new, the extra
buffer requirement can only increase
pressure to develop on lower-cost green
field and rural housing sites.
COULD
YOU
HELP?
If you have just a few
hours a month to spare,
we can find a valuable
role for you. We offer
appropriate training and
can reimburse all relevant
expenses.
All our volunteers work from home and keep in
touch by e-mail, telephone and through the
linked “members’ area” at
www.cpreherefordshire.org.uk
We have monthly meetings. Job holders are
most welcome to attend as often as they wish,
although in practice some of the roles
described below do not require regular
attendance.
Job Descriptions are available on our website
for the jobs listed: just click on the relevant
link.
We currently have specific vacancies for:
• Press Officer: to provide support to the
branch in drafting Press releases and
publicising CPRE Herefordshire’s work
• Planning Watchdogs: to help monitor
planning applications across the county
• Policy Volunteers: to help formulate CPRE
Herefordshire’s position on issues like, the
emerging development plan, the Local
Development Framework, polytunnels,
Telecommunications masts and windfarms
• Public Relations Volunteers: to help man
CPRE information stands at public events
• Volunteers to join our Executive
Committee
If you are interested in finding out more about
becoming a committee member, or would like
more information on any of the other
volunteer posts then email us at:
contactus@cpreherefordshire.org.uk
3

HCPRE’S
HEDGEROW
PROJECT
We have been campaigning for
hedgerow protection since the 1970s.
We welcomed the introduction of the
Hedgerows Regulations in 1997, but
there is more we can do to ensure a
better future for England’s hedgerows.
HCPRE volunteers Ros Bradbury and John
Ockenden measuring a veteran tree, with
a recent pollard in background.
Funded by a generous legacy specifically for
hedgerow work, CPRE branches around the
country have been running hedgerow
projects, including Herefordshire where since
2009 HCPRE volunteers have been mapping
some of the county’s important hedgerows.
We were pleased to be invited to survey the
hedgerows on a farm in north Herefordshire.
The present owner is the third generation to
farm the land, (75.5 ha), most of which is
pasture used for grazing sheep and cattle.
There is also an orchard, an area of woodland,
a stream and part of a disused railway track.
Roads, connected by a public footpath across
the land, form the north and south
boundaries; the north, south and east
boundaries are also parish boundaries
As a preliminary to the survey work, we
examined contemporary and older maps
of the land, dated 1880, 1840 and 1780.
Although some relatively short hedges had
been removed after 1880, all the present
hedgerows were depicted on the tithe map.
We were shown the current hedgerow
management plan, including some
restoration that had been agreed for the
Stewardship Scheme.
We surveyed 13 hedgerows from December
2011 to May 2012, in 30m sections, a total of
nearly 3,500m; the majority had a wide
variety of woody species. In one of the parish
boundaries, we found: ash, blackthorn, elder,
crack willow, dogwood, English elm, field
maple, goat willow, hawthorn, hazel, holly
and sycamore. We also recorded ground flora,
fauna, fungi, plant galls and measured
veteran trees.
Among the observations that excited the
survey team was the relatively high
frequency of field maple (Acer Campestris),
including good-sized trees and very old
pollards, one with a girth of 2.94m. One
hedgerow contained seven oak trees, the
largest with 3.60m girth. The ground flora
were splendid; over 100 different species were
noted. Among memorable ‘finds’ were several
clumps of pungently scented sweet violet, a
bank of cowslips, a field of bulbous buttercup,
and plants of pepper saxifrage and green
alkanet. We saw buzzards, a raven, skylarks,
an occupied badger sett, numerous
bumblebees including Bombus lapidarius
(red-tailed), butterflies, moths and other
insects, including St. Mark's Fly.
We are grateful to the landowner for the
opportunity to make this species-rich record.
4

A CASE STUDY
HCPRE recently challenged Herefordshire Council’s decision to remove a hedgerow in Credenhill as part
of the creation of the cycleway from the end of the Roman Road to Credenhill. HCPRE’s concern was how
the Council arrived at the conclusion that the hedge was not ‘important’.
The Council and HCPRE both agreed that the
hedge was species rich and very close to the
borderline of importance in terms of the
wildlife aspects of the Hedgerow Regulations.
The nub of the matter was the Council’s
conclusion that the hedge was not part of a
pre-enclosure field system and therefore not
important in terms of the Hedgerow
Regulations.
HCPRE member, Penny Farquhar-Oliver
prepared a detailed report, challenging the
Council’s opinion. It is an example of the
diligent work done by HCPRE to protect the
county’s heritage. Here are some extracts from
her report.
HCPRE ask that before finally determining its
status, the Council take full and proper account
of the 1840 Stretton Sugwas tithe map, and of
the 1757 and 1794 maps, and also take into
consideration numerous earlier written
documents confirming many of the fields in
the locality to be of long standing.
In HCPRE’s opinion, (and quite apart from the
Council’s case resting on inappropriate
speculations), documents and maps
collectively cast doubt even on the Council’s
contention that the field pattern in this area
(i.e. the area around the road and hedge) has a
strong co-axial character relating to the course
of the Roman Road’. In our view, map and
documentary evidence appears to suggest the
following: -
To the south of the Roman Road [A438], the
landscape in 1757 was predominantly one of
curvaceous and numerous strips in three large
open arable fields, with a number of scattered
curvilinear enclosures as well. By 1794, this
curvilinear pattern had been strengthened with
numerous additional curvilinear boundaries
arising from (pre-Parliamentary) enclosure of
all three open fields, and reflecting their former
furlongs. But then this area was changed again,
this time by comprehensive reorganization of
the field pattern (presumably by the Guys
Estate) and replacement of the former
boundary pattern with a strongly coaxial one
which was very evident in19th century tithe
and OS maps, but which had become
fragmented by the 1970s.
But in the vicinity of Stretton Court (and the
A480 road and hedge), the map shows that
any open arable had already been enclosed by
1757, (documentary evidence suggests that
this was taking place in the 1600s or earlier),
and although a number of curvaceous
boundaries were lost near the road between
1794 and 1840, and some straight boundaries
replaced them, there was little other change
(and little evidence in either map of any ‘strong
co-axial character’ save that introduced by the
new boundaries). The situation remained
similar through the 19th century, though some
of the new straight boundaries were removed
again between 1840 and 1886 and also five
short stretches of the 1757 network. But in the
main, the curvilinear pattern as seen in 1757 is
still visible today, with some remaining
additional 19th century straight boundaries
postdating it.
HCPRE knows of no evidence to suggest that
the curvilinear A480 is any less an integral part
of the field patterns in the locality than is the
equally curvilinear road (now a bridleway) to
its east with the medieval packhorse bridge, or
the curvilinear northern boundary of Stretton
around some of the fields called Hansell seen
in the redrawn tithe map on page 2. (The
Hansell names were Horneshill in the 1640s
and Hornsell by 1699).
We also note that since most historic parish
boundaries were established between five and
nine centuries ago, any such boundary mered*
to a road is likely to indicate that that road is
equally old. The available evidence is therefore
against the Council’s claim that this road or its
hedge ‘postdates’ the surrounding field pattern.
HCPRE continues to maintain that this roadside
hedge is important because it certainly meets
criterion 5(a). We further suggest that it may
well also be important under criterion 1 and/or
4, but of course, meeting one criterion is
sufficient to confer ‘Important’ status in terms
of the Hedgerow Regulations.
Parish boundary
Threatened hedge
Following this report, Herefordshire Council
agreed that it met the criteria for importance
but told HCPRE that “the regulations require
a judgement to be made as to whether its
removal is justified, having regard to the
reasons for its proposed removal and
comments of the Parish Council. In that
consideration, the wider public interest is a
factor.
The scheme will deliver a range of benefits in
linking the community of Credenhill with an
earlier phase of investment between the
Brecon and Roman Roads. The approved
scheme is supported by both Parish Councils.
Weighing these factors (we) have concluded
that the Hedgerow Removal Notice should
stand as issued. The footway/cycleway scheme
will continue to be implemented as designed
and approved, to deliver the enhanced links
which are sought. A replacement, species rich
hedgerow will be planted along the field
boundary.”
* Mereing is the association of a parish boundary with
ground features which define it.
5

A ROUND-UP OF CURRENT LOCAL CONCERNS
Hereford By-pass
1 HCPRE has consistently responded to
consultations on the proposed Hereford relief
road by arguing that the case for the road is
‘unproven’. We will continue to have serious
concerns on the road until:
a It can be shown that the road would
achieve its stated objective of reducing
congestion in the city centre and the
surrounding approach roads,
b The impact on the surrounding landscape
is clearly known, i.e. when a preferred
route is identified, and HCPRE is able to
consider the balance between the impacts
and the benefits,
c It is clear that expenditure on the road will
not impact on other budget priorities
2 Our position is based on the fact that:
a Herefordshire Council have not tested or
consulted on a ‘no road’ option since 2008
and did not include this question in its
Shaping our Place 2026 questionnaire
b Congestions forecasts have not been
updated including other options that would
contribute to congestion reduction
c Because the road is linked with planned
housing growth in the city Herefordshire
Council’s own studies show that it will not
reduce congestion in the city
d The studies “do not incorporate much
discussion about the impacts on the route
through the city centre. The significance of
this omission is that there is no importance
placed upon the impact on the city centre
of any particular option”. Independent
Review of Hereford Relief Road Technical
Studies July 2011
e The Council’s current Root and Branch
review is aimed at cutting cost by 20% by
2014 and by 30% by 2017 but does not
include the relief road proposal,
f Serious environmental impacts have not
been adequately assessed including the
substantial loss of Grade 1 agricultural land.
3 HCPRE’s objective is to protect the
landscape. The independent Review (see 2d
above) noted that the proposals are very
damaging to the landscape in that they...
a Are at considerable variance with the
landform, scale and pattern of the
landscape.
b Are visually intrusive and would disrupt
fine and valued views of the area and are
likely to degrade, diminish or even destroy
the integrity of a range of characteristic
features and elements and their setting.
c Will be substantially damaging to a high
quality or highly vulnerable landscape
causing it to change and be considerably
diminished in quality that cannot be
adequately mitigated.
4 Our concerns relate to all the route options
including the suggested eastern route.
HCPRE’s position is that these issues must be
addressed before adopting the Hereford
Relief Road as a core strategy of the LDF.
More roads
Leominster southern By-pass
The Council wishes to build a new road round
Leominster from the B4361 Hereford road to
the A44 south of Baron’s Cross. HCPRE
believes it takes in far too much land, which
will then be vulnerable to further
development. HCPRE believes that this
proposed route for the road would be an
environmentally damaging encroachment on
open countryside and is opposing it. It would
be possible to mark out a route for the road
that does not go far from the existing
settlement boundary.
Industrialised
Farming
Recent disputes about milk prices have
thrown into focus the future of farming in the
UK. According to a recent survey by CPRE,
less than a fifth of people want a more
industrialised farming sector and an
overwhelming 78% would like farmers to
receive more support for adopting
environmentally sustainable farming
practices.
At a local level, HCPRE continues to resist the
encroachment of polytunnels on the
landscape. Added to this, we are seeing a new
challenge with the first solar farms in the
county (one with a 'solar array' i.e., photovoltaic
panels covering an 11 hectare field
adjacent to an AONB) and the ever-present
threat of wind turbines. However, these are on
a small scale compared with the future
possibility of ‘mega’ farms’ such as those
found in America.
The president of the National Farmers Union
believes the UK needs more and bigger ‘super
farms’ to keep food prices from rising too
high and to maintain high animal welfare
standards... One to watch!
Wind Turbines
Very few so far in Herefordshire but as our
2011 report noted, a report for Herefordshire
Council stated that:
Herefordshire by virtue of being a relatively
sparsely developed county with a diverse
geographical range has the potential to
harness good levels of wind energy.
Levels of practically accessible wind resources
equates to approximately 174 2.3MW turbines
(Editors note: i.e., up to 98 metres high), after
unsuitable areas for large wind farm
development have been identified and ruled
out. This potentially makes large-scale wind
energy a high priority in the short-, mediumand
long-term in relation to planning policy.
CPRE national has produced policy guidance
on our approach to wind turbines, which is
summarised below:
Decisions made today will have a lasting
effect on the countryside. In pursuing our
national carbon reduction and renewable
energy targets, we must not ignore other
important and established environmental
objectives, particularly the protection of
valued landscapes from damaging
development. CPRE has done a considerable
amount of work to analyse what impact
different kinds of development have on the
countryside in terms of their intrusion and
impact on beautiful places. Experiencing
6

tranquillity in beautiful landscapes is
beneficial to human health and well-being,
which is one reason why millions of people
visit the countryside every year. The quality
of this experience is threatened by poorly
conceived and located development of
whatever kind. It is clear that onshore wind
development, unless appropriately sited, can
have a significant detrimental impact on the
quality of the landscape.*
CPRE believes that the Government must set
a clear framework which helps local
communities reconcile the potentially
conflicting environmental benefits of
landscape protection and climate change
mitigation. If this is done, unacceptable
damage both to the landscape and to public
support for the country’s renewable energy
targets can be avoided. With open and
transparent dialogue, which effectively
involves local communities, we can choose
the right mix of renewable energy
technologies to help tackle climate change as
well as protecting our precious landscapes. To
enable local communities and the planning
system to protect the environment from
damaging development and climate change,
we call on the Government to:
• Provide more clarity about the total
number of onshore wind turbines it
expects to see built and where these might
be located;
• Develop a strategic plan-led approach that
recognises landscape capacity, including
cumulative impacts of onshore wind
turbines;
• Ensure local planning authorities seek to
protect landscape character through their
local plans and in planning decisions;
• Instruct the Planning Inspectorate to give
significant weight when making decisions
on development proposals to any local
plans which have attempted to identify
appropriate and inappropriate areas for
onshore wind development; and
• Require the onshore wind industry to take
legal and financial responsibility for
decommissioning onshore wind turbines
and restoring the landscape once they
stop working or when they reach the end
of their useful life.
Finally, one to aim for!
A consultation on new Government guidance
for local authorities includes proposals for
use of 40 mph zones on minor rural roads,
particularly in scenic areas. Herefordshire has
the highest road casualty rate out of all
neighbouring English authorities.
Speeding traffic blights many villages and has
led to numerous collisions and fatalities. Fatal
car crashes occur most frequently on rural
roads and speeding traffic has a significant
impact on people’s quality of life. HCPRE will
campaign to protect the character and
tranquillity of the countryside from traffic.
* Generating light on landscape impacts: How to
accommodate onshore wind while protecting the
countryside. CPRE April 2012a
Become a
volunteer!
You can help support CPRE’s work
in your local community by
volunteering at one of our district,
branch or regional groups. As a
CPRE volunteer, you could...
Respond to planning applications...
If you know about the planning process,
you could help assess local planning
applications. If you don’t know how, we’d be
happy to teach you.
Produce publicity...
You could write news releases or organise
photo opportunities, create newsletters,
websites and campaign materials for your
local group.
Lobby...
We need volunteers who are willing to speak
to councillors, MPs and local authority
officers about CPRE’s campaigns on behalf
of your local group.
Raise funds...
Help fundraising efforts in your local area or
use your skills to develop the fundraising
potential of your local group.
Help at local events...
Local groups are always in need of people
who can give a few hours at stalls at local
shows and events or use their co-ordination
skills to set up an event for us.
Distribute leaflets...
Deliver campaign leaflets to local homes
Help in the office...
Provide assistance with our filing, mailings,
accounts or letter writing at your local
branch.
If you would like to volunteer,
email us at
contactus@cpreherefordshire.org.uk
or call Bob Widdowson on
01544 230 050
or David Phelps on
01432 279 185
7

We are now entering a new era for planning. The Government wants to place much more
emphasis on planning at the local level. It believes that local communities are best
placed to identify their local needs, and how these should be met. This places a
responsibility on local communities – but it is also an exciting challenge: it’s your
opportunity to have a greater say in the planning system.
CPRE, together with partners The National
Association of Local Councils (NALC), has
been awarded a Government grant to
promote and enable greater public
involvement in the planning system.
A Neighbourhood Plan (sometimes called a
Neighbourhood Development Plan) is a new
way of helping local communities to influence
the planning of the area in which they live and
work. It can be used to:
• Develop a shared vision for your
neighbourhood
• Choose where new homes, shops, offices
and other development should be built
• Identify and protect important local
green spaces
• Influence what new buildings should
look like
These plans are created by your parish council,
town council, or neighbourhood forum. They
contain more detailed priorities for development
in your community, such as the provision
of low-cost housing or the preservation of
green space.
While Local Plans lay out a vision of future
development for a whole area, the needs
of individual towns and villages within that
area can vary. Neighbourhood Plans are
optional documents that detail further
development priorities for individual
communities. They are community-led and
can be written by town or parish councils, or
where there is neither, by a specially-created
neighbourhood forum.
Taking part in the writing of a Neighbourhood
Plan helps you have a say in the future use
of land and buildings in your neighbourhood.
HCPRE has launched a new website to help
people understand how to use the planning
system.
Visit CPRE’s Planning Help site at
www.planninghelp.org.uk
The site, called Planning Help, provides a
guide to the new local plans (called Local
Development Frameworks)
Those who are less familiar with the planning
system should find useful the site's guides to
responding to planning applications and
making the most of Public Inquiries and the
simple explanations of how the planning
system works. The site also contains
examples of how CPRE has been able to use
successfully the planning system to protect
the countryside and contribute to urban
regeneration.
In Herefordshire neighbourhood plans are in
process in the following areas:
Applications to designate a
Neighbourhood Area:
• Pembridge Neighbourhood Area
• Bartestree & Lugwardine Neighbourhood
Area
• Staunton-on-Wye Neighbourhood Area
• Cusop Parish Neighbourhood Area
• Dorstone Parish Neighbourhood Area
• Colwall Neighbourhood Area
Designated Neighbourhood Areas:
• Almeley Parish Neighbourhood Area
• Shobdon Parish Neighbourhood Area
• Leominster Neighbourhood Area
• Lyonshall Parish Neighbourhood Area
8

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
N THE LAST YEAR, HCPRE
volunteers within our Planning
Local Area network have made
almost 40 submissions on
planning applications that we
believed would adversely affect the landscape.
Every week, HCPRE volunteers check the lists of
recent planning applications to investigate the
details. If we feel that the application does not
comply with national or local polices, a detailed
representation is made.
Our objections have covered polytunnels, wind
turbines, a new superstore in Ledbury and
hedgerow removals. We have also worked
at the policy level keeping in close contact
with Herefordshire Council on the emerging
Local Development Framework that will
govern planning policy in the county for the
next 20 years.
Our 2012 Annual Report covers many of the
issues that HCPRE is working with. It is a huge
agenda and one that depends on a handful of
committed volunteers and the support of our
membership across the county. CPRE National
Office ably supports us but it’s still a tough
task – a task that will get tougher in the future.
The new National Planning Policy Framework
from Government, while an improvement on
the original draft document, nevertheless
signals a major change in attitude to
landscape protection. Current debate about the
possible incursion of development into green
belt is further evidence of that change.
Economic imperatives may increasingly
override more than 70 years of planning
protection of the countryside.
Hereford does not have a designated green belt
but the proposed relief road will slice through
prime agricultural land and the exceptional
landscape setting of the Wye west of Hereford.
HCPRE’s position is that the case for the road is
unproven in relation to its stated objective of
reducing congestion. Could economic
imperatives be the real reason for the road?
At a time of economic depression and falling
living standards, it is very difficult for
organisations such as HCPRE to argue against
any development that offers the possibility of
economic growth. It is even more difficult to
argue that there may be other ways of growing
the local economy than by concreting the
landscape.
HCPRE has supported the local foods initiative
in Ledbury (see next page) and is looking to
work with REconomy, a project from the
Transition Network aimed at creating a truly
sustainable Herefordshire economy, one which
will meet the real needs of local people. This
can be achieved through developing existing
enterprises and new ones, through developing
local skills and local resources.
Our vision is a county that thinks differently, is
different and is working for the future not
attempting to re create the past; a county that
re-generates the local economy from within,
and takes advantage of the resources that we
already possess.
To protect our landscape we need to not only
respect it, but to see it as a prime asset: as well
spending much of its time objecting to
developments that damage our landscape,
HCPRE also seeks to positively promote its
value. In 1934 Queenswood Country Park, still
the county’s only country park, was purchased
by HCPRE following concerns that the land was
being sold off for holiday homes with no
planning control to prevent this from
happening. 80 years later, we are researching
the possibility of initiating a new Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covering
the Black Mountains.
It is surprising to many that despite the beauty
of Herefordshire’s landscape less than 20% has
any official designation that might protect it
from development. A new AONB in addition to
protecting more of the landscape could bring
economic benefits as well. This will be the main
topic of our AGM on 3rd November, so let us
have your views.
Membership over the last year seems to have
held stable halting the decline in recent years,
which is good news. However in the coming
year we will need to give more attention to
finances. We have incurred extra costs this year
with the new website but our projections
suggest an underlying structural deficit.
Although our reserves are healthy, we will need
to address income if we are to maintain them.
We could face substantial cost next year in the
Examination in Public (EIP) of Herefordshire’s
Council Core Strategy at which HCPRE will need
to make its case on issues such as the relief
road, and increased development that
threatens the landscape. We have allocated a
significant proportion of our reserves to cover
the possible costs.
Finally, may I make my annual appeal for
volunteers? We need whatever time you can
give whether as part of our planning watchdog
group or to serve on the Executive Committee
or any other skills you think you can bring. An
hour or a day – as they say every little helps!
My thanks to all our volunteers, our supporters
and to our administrator Barbara Bromhead-
Wragg who has done sterling work this year on
our new website and keeping us organised. Our
President, Bishop Anthony, will be in the chair
again at our AGM and my thanks to him for his
continued support.
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From field to fork:
LEDBURY
The value of England’s food webs
In February 2012, CPRE published its Report presenting
findings and recommendations from a five-year national
project – Mapping Local Food Webs – to engage local
volunteers across England to research their local food
‘webs’: the network of links between people who buy,
sell, produce and supply food sourced locally. Ledbury
was one of 19 locations across England to be mapped.
Its findings were...
Choice, availability and access to local
food are good with 25 food outlets selling
local food; for the majority, local food
sales represent a quarter or more of
turnover
Local shops are servicing public demand
for fresh, high quality food, supported by
short supply chains
Many shops and suppliers contribute to
community life by donating to local good
causes and offer a friendly, personal
service
Local food supports, we estimate, 200 jobs
at outlets and over 480 at local suppliers
Local food sales in Ledbury are an
estimated £1.5 million to £2.7 million a
year and help to support £29.5 million of
turnover at supply chain businesses
A minimum of 95 local producers within
30 miles supply food directly to outlets
we interviewed in Ledbury, reducing food
miles and related pollution
Ledbury maintains its market town
heritage and has a thriving High Street
with a good range of independent shops
Residents, visitors and tourists recognise
the good availability of local food in
the town
Local food supports diversity in farming,
which shapes and maintains the character
of the local countryside.
A number of challenges need to be faced
to develop Ledbury’s local food web:
• sourcing sufficient volume remains a
problem for small outlets as suppliers
prioritise bigger buyers
• communication between outlets and
suppliers needs
• facilitation as businesses lack the time
to find new suppliers or markets
• Ledbury’s shoppers value smaller outlets
for extra shopping but these outlets
need to find ways to compete with the
convenience of supermarkets, which
attract most shoppers for their main
shopping
• environmental benefits of local food
remain largely unrecognised
The Report included a recommendation that
Herefordshire Council’s new Local Plan
policies should reflect the aims and
objectives of the Herefordshire Food Strategy
and also strengthen existing protection for
strong town centres and a diverse retail mix.
This could safeguard essential local food
outlets, which broaden choice and serve the
townspeople’s everyday food needs. Policies
should also reinvigorate Ledbury’s status as a
traditional market town by supporting
proposals for a new Farmers’ Market.
Additionally, procurement policy should be
geared to developing a stronger, sustainable
supply chain by creating opportunities for
smaller local producers to tender for
contracts. These measures could also serve to
develop Ledbury’s relationship with its rural
hinterland through its food supply.
Local businesses and the community can also
strengthen the local Food Web by ensuring the
actions suggested in the Herefordshire Food
Strategy are supported and carried out.
Businesses could promote local produce better
by developing a ‘local to Ledbury’ brand,
promoting the town as a local food location
and emphasising links to sustainable
agriculture and management of local
countryside, including the iconic landscapes of
the AONBs (Malvern Hills and Wye Valley) and
the Brecon Beacons National Park.
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Our planning watchdogs!
Members of the Planning Local Network Area (PLAN)
team have continued their hard work this year,
responding to a number of planning applications from
planning lists and others that have been drawn to their
attention by concerned local residents – some of whom
were already members of HCPRE and others who have
since joined us.
Can you help?
If you feel you would like to help or could
support one of our existing volunteers –
please contact Barbara Bromhead-Wragg
at admin@cpreherefordshire.co.uk
At the beginning of the year, team members
and other HCPRE volunteers attended a
meeting with senior planning officers from
Herefordshire Council, to discuss the Local
Development Framework (LDF) which replaces
the “increasingly out of date Unitary
Development Plan” (UDP) County plan of
2007 in the face of the then to be published
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The NPPF was to cover any local authority
areas that had no current plan in place and
HCPRE had concerns over what this could
mean for the county’s landscape. We learned
that the final consultation for Herefordshire
Council’s Core Strategy (CS), the first tier of
the Local Plan, was to be held in Spring 2013
and the CS should be adopted in Spring 2014.
Until that adoption, the UDP would remain in
use when considering most planning
applications.
Volunteers have monitored the situation
since the NPPF was published in March 2012
and the UDP still remains the reference point
for considering planning applications in the
county.
However, the NPPF does have an effect upon
housing allocation for the county. The NPPF
states that local authorities should provide
five years’ worth of housing land, which the
UDP does not provide. This was addressed at
a recent Cabinet meeting (July 2012) wherein
Herefordshire Council devised an interim
approach to pre-planning advice and in
considering applications.
This approach in effect means that we are
likely to see applications for housing in areas
that would not previously have been allowed,
for example development outside of
settlement boundaries. Each of these
applications will have to be decided by the
Planning Committee, as they would be
inconsistent with the UDP.
Most recently the team have contributed to
the Branch response to a new Government
consultation on the re-use of agricultural
buildings vis a vis the need for planning
permissions. Herefordshire is rich in old
agricultural buildings, many of which are
poorly sited for commercial use due to
potential traffic issues.
There are other considerations, such as how a
local authority conservation officer might be
involved if a building were of historic or
aesthetic interest. Equally, we wonder how
disturbance to wildlife, i.e. bats, would be
prevented if no planning permissions were
required.
It is appreciated that a sympathetic
conversion, suitably screened within the
landscape, which allows those with a good
business case to live on the land that they
work, is an ideal. However, if piecemeal
developments throughout the countryside
are allowed, without the checks and balances
provided by the planning system, the result
could be the further erosion of the county’s
spectacular countryside.
We said goodbye to two volunteers this year.
Thanks to David and Ann for their hard work
and we wish them both well. This means that
we have a smaller group of volunteers to
respond to planning applications across the
county. The remaining 3 volunteers are
dedicated and hardworking; one covers the
Ledbury area and surrounding district, with
the remaining two team members working
hard to split the remainder of the county
between them.
We urgently need new volunteers, whether as
support, in checking the weekly lists and
identifying potential problems, or as PLAN
team members for one of the county’s
vacancies.
Please consider if you could spare us an hour
a week to help in your area – expenses are
remunerated and full training and support is
provided. If you are interested please email
us: admin@cpreherefordshire.org.uk
The team members work from home, staying
in touch with fellow volunteers via telephone
and email. We have a minimum of two PLAN
team meetings per year and receive support
from the Branch Executive Committee, which
receives a planning report at each monthly
meeting.
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Our new branch website
FACTS
cpreherefordshire.org.uk
In 2011’s Annual Report we reported that we
were working to revise the branch website, with
the aim of the new site being up and running
for the 2011 AGM. We quickly realised on
discussion with our website host & designers
that a complete redesign was needed in order
for the new site to fulfil our requirements.
However, none of us foresaw the amount of
work involved in this task and, as the AGM
approached, we realised that a postponement
was sensible. It was more important to get it
right rather than rush to complete the project.
This gave us sufficient time to put in the hard
work required firstly on the design of and then
to create content for the redesigned site, which
was no mean feat – it wasn’t simply a case of
copying text from one site to another.
Careful consideration has been given to the site
layout, from simplifying and unifying
navigation to the overall visual design. We were
keen to ensure that we are recognisable as
CPRE, following certain guidelines issued by
CPRE National Office. At the same time, we
wanted the colours used to be a palette
recognisably that of Herefordshire, for example
the rich brown of the county’s soil used for the
navigation bar.
V8 Media have worked with us patiently and we
are very pleased with the redesigned site,
which went live in March 2012. Our new
homepage has quick links to those pages
identified as featuring most frequently in
searches that lead viewers to the site. Overall,
the new design has grouped pages together for
easier navigation, e.g.. the Issues page, found
in the centre of the navigation bar at the top of
each page gives a synopsis of areas of concern.
A further left hand navigation pane shows the
individual issues.
There are other changes and new features too:
no more Members area. On checking the
statistics for the old site, we found that this
area was rarely used and so decided that we
would not retain it. In the interests of
transparency, information such as minutes of
meetings is now available for all to see,
We have improved accessibility to the site, for
example at the top right of the screen – A +
can be seen, which makes text larger or smaller
to suit the viewer. Other information on
accessibility can be found via a link at the
bottom of each webpage.
The Contact Us page has changed in design
but the core remains the same, simply fill in
the form to contact us with a query or
suggestion.
Some pages, such as Local Food, are still in
development but we hope that the site now
easily tells the casual visitor who we are and
what we do.
A Forum area is soon to be added, where
members can share information and
experiences and engage with other users.
Whilst the new site went live in March, we have
withheld the Forum until we familiarise
ourselves with the new site’s operating system.
We have volunteer moderators in place, each of
whom will have been trained by the time this
report comes off the press, or shortly after.
Once the forum is launched at the 2012 AGM,
our next aim will be to follow up on a link to
one or more of the social media sites.
As with all things HCPRE does, this redesign
would not have been possible without
volunteers giving their time, whether providing
input on design, writing text for new pages, or
occasionally as editors supporting our
Administrator, who oversaw the project and
wrote some of the text herself.
We would welcome more volunteers to help
with the website, a commitment which would
not be very onerous – perhaps half an hour per
week. The Branch has a small dedicated group
of volunteers, each of whom has two of more
‘hats’. Having dedicated website volunteers
would allow current volunteers to concentrate
their efforts on our core work of planning
vigilance.
Please do consider if you could help us,
email admin@cpreherefordshire.org.uk
for more information.
• CPRE Herefordshire’s work is carried out
by volunteers
• We were founded in 1931
• We are a registered charity
• A team of volunteers across the county
act as planning ‘watchdogs’ monitoring
applications and making submissions on
issues concerning protection of the
landscape
• We are part of a national network of CPRE
county and local groups
• We are supported by national CPRE,
whose patron is HM The Queen
• Nationally, CPRE is one of the longest
established and most respected
environmental groups, influencing policy
and raising awareness since it was
founded in 1926
• CPRE Herefordshire has over 400
members across the county
• We are supported by voluntary donations
and membership subscriptions.
OPEN INVITATION
ATTEND OUR
MEETINGS
All CPRE members are
welcome to attend our
monthly CPRE committee
and policy meetings.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of
each month (except August): see our website for
venue details.
Meetings begin at 1.30pm and are always a
vehicle for lively and informed debate on
matters both local and national.
If you are unable to attend our meetings,
you can keep up to date on all matters
arising by visiting our branch website at
www.cpreherefordshire.org.uk
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