Dear Editor,

Planning permission is often a thorny issue. Residents are understandably concerned when they perceive their way of life to be under threat from external forces and it is entirely natural to wish for things to stay the way they are. However, I would like to clarify a few issues that have arisen regarding a planning application at Llangrove.

To begin with, the site in question was included in the Llangarron Parish Neighbourhood plan as far back as 2015 as having potential for development. The report suggests that a minimum of 65 new dwellings in the parish are required to meet demand. This was public knowledge, put before a steering committee and anyone, either local or looking to purchase property in the area should have been privy to this.

The simple fact is that Herefordshire is in dire need of new houses to meet current and future needs. The county’s Local Plan Core Strategy set out in 2015 included requirements to build 16,500 new homes by 2031 alongside investment in infrastructure to boost the economy and create jobs.

According to the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework review, Herefordshire has housing stock to last only 4.5 years whereas a minimum of 5 years is required to meet demand. This is despite extensive recent development within the county.

Llangrove is a wonderful place to live. The scenery is magnificent, with views stretching to the Black Mountains in one direction and to the Malverns in another. It is a small, friendly community and the local pub is a big part of that. My family has lived and farmed in the village since the 1930s and has always played an active role in village life. However, there is quite simply no money in small-scale farming anymore and the only way for family farms to survive is to branch out into other areas and yes, this includes selling land for development.

I myself have frequented the pub since I was 9 years old (on soft drinks till I was 18, of course) but sadly now feel uncomfortable in a place I have always considered a second home. It is particularly galling to read objections from villagers themselves living in new build houses that only exist because my family sold the land for development.

One point raised has been the prospect of increased traffic throughout the village. However we do not believe that five dwellings will substantially add to this, and would counter that many of the existing traffic problems are caused by the surfeit of 4x4 vehicles on the road, in some cases being driven by those who have voiced their objections to the development.

I acknowledge there are concerns about the hedgerow due to its habitat provision and pleasant visual aspect. But the plans clearly stipulate that only just over half of the row will be removed for access to be as smooth as possible.

Like the current owners of the Royal Arms, and our friends in the village, we have no desire to see the pub close or be turned into flats. We have always been open to discussion and flexibility (the original plan was for ten houses including affordable housing, but sadly this was opposed by local residents) and hope that those reading this will understand our position on the matter.

James Conway

Llangrove