Dear Editor,

I am sure that many readers who care about the beauty and sustainability of the countryside around Ross will be unaware that on October 28th, Herefordshire Council Planning Committee gave provisional approval to the building of five executive homes in land off Fernbank Road, below Chase Hills.

This site will be well known to walkers and cyclists who use the footpaths in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to explore Chase Woods and circuit the boundary of the Iron Age settlement. These routes are outlined on the newly erected sign in the Town and Country Trail car park.

This is not the first time that developers have tried to build on this land. In 1985 an Appeal was rejected after the inspector concluded that “the site occupies a critical point in the foreground of this very attractive view which is part of the overall setting of Ross. Its development would entirely change the character of this AONB.”

Despite considerable opposition from residents and an eloquent presentation of the objections to the Committee, the developer - Alan Porter Ltd - won the day.

So an agricultural site will become a Windfall Site, likely to raise £2.5 million for the developer. There will be new traffic measures and road widening where the new entrance to the development meets the ancient, unlit thoroughfare that is Fernbank.

Support from the AONB Committee under Cllr Phil Cutter was not forthcoming, and we must hope that this development footprint does not in future expand into the other fields beyond this site.

To misquote Marie Lloyd, “Oh Mr Porter what shall we do?” to save our lovely environment that makes Ross on Wye such an idyllic place to visit and live.

Perhaps a call or letter to the Chairman of the Planning Committee (Phil Cutter) or to the Chair of the AONB Committee, or letters of support in this paper might show that we care about our Market Town and its surrounds.

Peter Hall

Ross