ROSS-on-Wye’s new enterprise park is one of the many long-awaited projects to transform Herefordshire and will see the light of day before the end of next year.

In what Herefordshire Council is calling its ‘long year of delivery’, the county’s infrastructure, economic and cultural facilities are set to benefit from millions in new investment.

At the former Model Farm site, spades are expected to go into the ground later this year to create the new enterprise park on land which has long been earmarked for employment to accompany the area’s growing population.

Herefordshire Council due shortly to appoint a principal contractor for enabling work valued at nearly £6 million at the site to the southeast of the town.

With this complete around the middle of next year, new businesses, expected to have a tech slant, will then begin to develop individual plots.

Earlier this year Cllr Harry Bramer, cabinet member for community services and assets and ward member for neighbouring Weston under Penyard, has drawn down £7.25 million for phase one of the enterprise park to create the site’s infrastructure.

Once that is in place, developers could then start the construction of buildings up next year aimed at high-tech businesses.

It has taken 21 years for this project to come to fruition since Herefordshire Council acquired the site.

It is hoped that a management board can be appointed to guide the site’s development, with representation from local businesses who need to be consulted.