Dear Editor,

Despite being turned down several years ago, a further planning application has been made for 32 houses on what was the allotments behind Old Market Close, adjacent to Cawdor Gardens, with the sole vehicular and pedestrian access being through Cawdor Arch, a single car width (approx 10 ft) tunnel beside Old Market Close.

The health and safety implications on what is currently a largely pedestrian walkway are serious, as well as how developers are supposed to get heavy machinery in and out of site, emergency services access and the issues around access onto the already very busy junction at Homs Road and Trenchard Street.

I posted this on Facebook last week and have had a huge response, as many people were completely unaware of this proposal and shared the concerns outlined above. There was also disappointment that Ross Town Council supported this in a planning meeting without even an acknowledgment of any issues. If residents wish to comment on this proposal, for or against, they have until, November 2nd to do so. Go onto the Herefordshire Council planning page and search application number 173190. Residents must have registered a comment in order to speak at any subsequent meetings.

The Ross Almhouse Charity who own the land aim to provide affordable housing for those in need and I am aware that they simply want to use the sale of this land to raise funds to continue this admirable and much needed work. Unfortunately this development not only has a very small number of affordable houses, (13 out of 32) but the fundamental issue is that the proposed development does not have the appropriate highways infrastructure to safely support it, especially when there are other proposed developments elsewhere in Ross in a much better position.

At the end of the day the planners will make the decision, but if people want to have a say, for or against the proposal, I urge them to register and comment.

Ali Park

Ross-on-Wye