Vision for future investment in Herefordshire’s market towns

Herefordshire Council have approved economic development plans for the market towns in the county.

The Council said: “The market towns are a critical part of Herefordshire’s economy and play an important role as focal points for housing, employment, retail, tourism, leisure, culture, business investment and growth.”

Last week, Cabinet approved economic development investment plans for each of the market towns, which provide direction for future economic development and will be used to guide the council’s capital investment as well as seeking government funding, to support economic recovery.

Each of the market town economic development investment plans have been developed following local engagement. They set out a shared longer-term vision for growth and identify a range of potential projects and funding opportunities.

In a press release the Council said: “The plans provide a firm foundation for parish and community-led applications for grants to funding bodies, with clear evidence showing how each project will contribute to the economic development of the town, improving the likelihood that such applications will succeed.”

In the Ross-on-Wye Investment Plan it says the vision for the town it says: “Our objective is to make Ross-on-Wye an excellent place to live and work, a great destination for visits and holidays, and a place where businesses and social enterprises can start, grow, innovate and thrive.”

The plan identified a number of potential projects. These include:
Development of employment opportunities:
• Mixed use development on Model Farm
• Broadmeadow and Tanyard Lane Development Improvements to support the visitor economy:
• Brampton and Sellack Cycleway
• Riverside Canoe Bunkhouse & Pontoons
• Museum Without Walls
• Civic amenities and projects aimed at young people
• Enhanced sports centre and skate park
• Market House and Apron Plaza and High Street pedestrianisation
• Community facilities at the Ryefield Centre
• Shop/building frontage grant scheme

You can read the full Ross-on-Wye Investment Plan here: https://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/documents/s50099413/Appendix%202%20Ross-on-Wye%20MTIP.pdf

Councillor Ellie Chowns, Cabinet member for economy and environment said: “These plans set out a long-term vision for investment in our market towns, recognising their important role in the county, to help create the conditions for future growth and development. The council will now be working with the town councils and other local stakeholders to help take forward projects and seek funding to turn the plans into a reality.

“One key area for attention is the demand for additional employment land. We will work with the market towns to identify where there are suitable opportunities for funding from the Council’s capital allocation for ‘employment land and incubator space in market towns’ (ELIS) funding.”

“We will also be actively looking for opportunities to access new government funding sources to support market town investment ambitions in order to help our whole county’s economy thrive.”