Hereford Voice

The Welsh and UK Government have today announced a new £1 million joint research initiative to tackle water quality issues in the River Wye. Water Minister Emma Hardy and Deputy First Minister of Wales hosts roundtable at River Wye to kickstart action to tackle local pollution UK and Welsh Governments announce £1m research fund to tackle pollution in iconic river River Wye is latest visit in Environment Secretary and Water Minister’s tour across UK to see how water investment underpins government’s Plan for Change The Welsh Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, and UK Government’s Water Minister, Emma Hardy, made the announcement during a roundtable meeting in Monmouth with key stakeholders from both sides of the border. The comprehensive cross-border research programme will: Investigate the sources of the pollution and pressures affecting the river Study the impacts of changing farming practices and land management Develop and test new ways to improve water quality Examine what’s driving wildlife decline and water flow – the movement and quantity of water which is crucial for habitats and species Local farmers, environmental groups, and citizen scientists will play a crucial role in gathering evidence and shaping the research priorities. The programme will work closely with established organisations including the Wye Catchment Partnership, the Nutrient Management Board, and farming organisations like Herefordshire Rural Hub and Farm Cymru. Following the visit to Monmouth, Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “For too long, the River Wye has suffered from extreme pollution, leading to devastating effects on wildlife and impacting all those who live along its banks. “That is why we’re resetting relationships on both sides of the border to share our knowledge and make sure this research translates into real action. “Our Water (Special Measures) Act has laid the foundations for cleaning up the water system. As part of the government’s Plan for Change to grow the economy and make Britain better off, over £100 billion of private sector money is being invested into the water sector to upgrade and build infrastructure. “But we must go further, and vital research like this gets us one step closer to cleaning up rivers like the Wye for good” Deputy First Minister of Wales Huw Irranca-Davies said: “This is an important step to protect the River Wye, and we are committed to continuing to work together to restore our rivers. “This research funding will support both nature recovery and sustainable farming practices to improve the local environment. “By bringing together expertise from both sides of the border and working closely with local groups, we can better understand the challenges facing the river and find the solutions that will make a difference.” The initiative builds on existing collaboration between the UK and Welsh governments, including an ongoing £20 million project addressing soil phosphorus levels through the Land Use for Net Zero, People and Nature programme. This new research will support wider government planning on water quality, nature recovery and farming regulation by identifying effective interventions that can be implemented at a landscape scale. Minister’s visit to Wales is the latest in a series of visits this week by the Environment Secretary and Water Minister Emma Hardy to iconic water sites across England and Wales as part of the ‘Things Can Only Get Cleaner’ tour, to see where investment in water infrastructure will underpin the building of new homes, create jobs and turbocharge local economies – a cornerstone of the government’s Plan for Change.

A planning application has been submitted to Herefordshire Council for the "Demolition of the existing school and erection of a new school building, creation of a MUGA, parking, landscaping, amenity areas, plant, external lighting and other associated works" Peterchurch Primary School Illustration The principle of the replacement of the school has been under consideration for a number of years. Draft plans were prepared, and discussions took place with the Council, school and local community regarding a new school in 2022 led by architects Hayhurst and Co. Council Cabinet. Approval was secured for a £10m investment to redevelop the site in October 2022 however, these plans were predicated on the ability to relocate the overhead electricity cables underground. This is not possible and therefore a total redesign has proved necessary and has resulted in the current submission by construction firm Tilbury Douglas. “The existing school is formed of lots of small rooms that are not fit for their purpose,” a statement with the application says. Its offices and toilets are “oversized”, while teaching areas “are significantly undersized”. Main Hall Illustration Planning Application HERE

A man from the West Midlands has been sentenced for a string of burglaries in Herefordshire. Thomas Odowd, 19, of Charles Crescent in Walsall, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (7 March). The 19-year-old pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy to steal from a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit a burglary and was handed a two-year suspended sentence. Offences of dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance were also considered as part of the sentencing. On 10 December last year a BMW 2 series and BMW X5 were stolen from a property in Ledbury following a car key burglary. The investigation revealed that Odowd was guilty of both thefts. On 11 July officers attempted to stop a Ford Transit van as it was linked to a number of garage and shed burglaries that occurred across Herefordshire. The vehicle failed to stop but was eventually brought to a standstill by officers. The occupants fled the area however a forensic investigation revealed Odowd was inside the vehicle. Detective Constable Emily Holder said: “Burglary is an incredibly intrusive crime, and nobody should be made to feel unsafe in their own home. I would like to thank the victims for their support throughout the investigation. “This type of offending will not be tolerated, and we will pursue all offences of this nature and put them in front of a court”.

Nichole Pratt, from Leominster, Herefordshire, was arrested after police received an anonymous tip that she had subjected two children to sexual abuse and had created videos of the offences. Her phone and a USB stick were seized by police. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said that the USB stick was found to contain category A videos of Pratt sexually abusing one child, while her phone contained videos of her sexually abusing another. When she was interviewed under caution, she denied any involvement in the offences. However, due to the overwhelming evidence against her, she later changed her plea to guilty at her plea and trial preparation hearing on September 16, last year. She admitted causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13. The incidents took place between October 23, 2023 and August 1, 2024. Pratt has now been jailed for seven-and-a-half years following a hearing at Hereford Crown Court today, Tuesday, February 4. She was also handed a sexual harm prevention order.

Contractors, Speller Metcalfe, who recently completed the building project for the new Redditch Fire Station will begin construction of the temporary fire station which will be located in Mortimer Road, Hereford. Work is expected to begin in the coming weeks and should be completed by the end of June. Once the temporary station is complete all staff and vehicles will move across before the demolition and main construction work on the new Hereford Fire Station starts on St Owen Street. The New Fire Station is expected to be complete and operational in early 2027. A huge investment of around £14m by Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority will provide a new, modern, and efficient fire station for Herefordshire.

Nine people were arrested as police and partner agencies swooped on four locations in a crackdown on illegal workers in Herefordshire on Thursday (13 February). Officers from West Mercia Police joined a MATES (Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy) operation at four locations with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS), Immigration Enforcement and Herefordshire Council Licensing Enforcement all taking part. A total of nine people were found working and living in the UK illegally, which saw fines issued to employers and enforcement papers were issued by HWFRS. At the M&M Direct site on Southern Avenue in Leominster, four Chinese workers were found living and working on site and all identified as illegal. They were interviewed and processed by Immigration with no slavery complaints. The four have been bailed by immigration and are subject to an ongoing investigation. Two men from India were arrested on suspicion of having fake documents at a building site in Lyde and were detained by Immigration for deportation. At DO’s Nail Bar on Widemarsh Street, one Vietnamese female was arrested, processed and bailed by Immigration. And at Planet Buffet on Commercial Road, two Chinese males were arrested, processed and bailed by Immigration. Police Sergeant Duncan Reynolds, of Hereford City Centre Team, said: “This MATES op was a big success, securing nine suspects arrested at four locations thanks to some great partnership work. “Those arrested are now being processed by Immigration as further investigations continue into illegal workers linked to organised crime gangs whose criminality has no place on the streets of Hereford.”

A former West Mercia Police officer has pleaded guilty to a corruption offence, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Photo credit PA Media At a hearing yesterday (Wednesday) at Worcester Crown Court, Oliver Dines, 33, was given a 15 month prison sentence. We received a referral about the officer’s conduct from West Mercia Police in December 2020 and we started our investigation soon after. The offending, which involved the improper use of a police officer’s powers and privileges, was committed against two women on separate occasions, in Herefordshire, while Dines was on duty. The evidence showed how he first met woman A, during the course of his duties when she was arrested for an alleged offence in October 2020. As she was waiting to be interviewed by him, he asked her if she was single. After leaving custody, PC Dines took the woman home and before getting out of the police car, he commented on the clothing that she was wearing. When he was outside her property, he inappropriately touched her. A short time later, woman A then received a Facebook friend request from PC Dines, which she said she felt obliged to accept, because he was a police officer. He then started messaging her, whilst he was still on duty. Over a period of approximately eight hours, PC Dines sent her more than 50 messages. Woman B reported being assaulted in September 2020 and PC Dines dealt with the case. He continued contacting woman B from his work mobile phone and later, from his personal mobile. His messages quickly became sexualised and explicit and at one point, he asked her to send pictures of herself to him, which she refused to do. She asked PC Dines to stop messaging her, yet he continued to do so. PC Dines also made unnecessary visits to woman B at her home. On one occasion, he inappropriately touched her. IOPC Director Derrick Campbell: “Part of a police officer’s role is to protect members of the public who are in vulnerable situations, not to make them feel uncomfortable and unsafe. This was a clear case of abuse of power by the officer, for his own gratification. “PC Dines’ behaviour has the potential to seriously undermine public confidence in policing and he has now, rightly, been held accountable for his actions.” During our enquiries, investigators interviewed the police officer, examined his mobile phone and obtained statements from several witnesses, including the two women he targeted. He admitted during interview that he failed to act with integrity and that he had pursued an improper emotional relationship with both women. We completed our investigation in December 2021. We then submitted our evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, who authorised the charges. We also sent our investigation report to West Mercia Police along with the recommendation that PC Dines should face gross misconduct proceedings. Mr Dines was dismissed from the force in March 2022 on an unrelated matter.

Stonegate Group owners of The Imperial Inn is a historic gem in the heart of Hereford located on the bustling Widemarsh Street known for its independent and high street shopping. Forecast Turnover per year: £1,360,059 Guide Rent per week: £2,115 Stonegate Description The Inn is extremely well presented, comfort meets convenience at the Imperial, with cosy seating areas for both drinkers and diners. The Imperial is a place for everyone, hosting regular events, live music, live sports and social gatherings - a beloved spot for both locals and tourists. The Imperial has a brilliant events space with the first floor private function with its own bar. The site currently benefits from both on-site dining and off-site delivery through a "Dark Kitchen" model. Our agreement allows the successful publican the same flexibility should they wish. The Imperial Inn is an excellent business opportunity, and we expect a high level of interest in this opportunity. Key Features Traditional and beautfully half timbered pub in the heart of historic Hereford Established clientele with great scope to develop and expand an already successful business Great pub for zoning drinkers, casual and celebratory dining as well as sports viewing Large beer garden to the rear with open and sheltered areas and an outside bar to take advantage of during the lazy summer days Large first floor function room with private bar and facilities for special occassions and meetings Full details HERE

Legal action over pollution in the Wye, Lugg and Usk catchment area has been expanded to include Welsh Water (WW) as well as Cargill Plc, Avara Foods and Freemans of Newent as defendants. Sewage spills by the water company into the Wye, Lugg and Usk and surrounding rivers make Welsh Water also accountable for pollution that has damaged the river water quality, says law firm Leigh Day. The law firm, which now has a base in Hereford to handle demand for the legal claim to hold alleged polluters to account, launched its action in March 2024. Initially Avara Foods, Cargill Plc and Freemans of Newent were named as the primary defendants in the legal action alleging public and private nuisance and breaches of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The companies deny the allegations. Leigh Day claims industrial-scale chicken production managed by Avara is responsible for the bulk of river water pollution in the Wye catchment. It says manure that runs off into the rivers Wye, Lugg and Usk creates phosphorus and nitrate pollution resulting in algal blooms, which block sunlight and deprive the water of oxygen. However, phosphorus and nitrates that are also present in sewage discharges from Welsh Water’s operations are also contributing to the pollution of the rivers, says Leigh Day. Now, as a result of a July 2024 Supreme Court ruling that a sewage nuisance claim can be brought against a water company, Leigh Day is able to add Welsh Water to the legal action. A letter before action has been sent to Welsh Water, alleging that sewerage operations from the water company have materially contributed to the pollution of the Wye, Lugg and Usk, resulting in problems with odour, insect swarms, biodiversity loss, and poor water quality. A letter outlining similar allegations against Avara, with its 50 per cent shareholder Cargill PLC and subsidiary company Freemans of Newent, was sent last year. Cargill, Avara and Freemans of Newent deny the allegations. The civil legal action against Welsh Water argues that sewage discharges from the water company, which are high in phosphorus and bacteria due to human faeces, have materially contributed to the pollution of the river. The effects of this include interfering with residents’ enjoyment of the river in activities such as wild swimming and fishing, as well as negatively impacting businesses which rely on the condition of the river. Organisations including the Environment Agency (EA) report wastewater treatment works and sewage discharges as other contributors to phosphorus pollution in the Wye. Reporting from WW itself in May 2023 estimated that 23 per cent of phosphorus in the Wye had come from its own wastewater treatment works. In June 2024, the EA successfully prosecuted WW for breaking the conditions of an environmental permit at a sewage treatment works near Hereford between August 2020 and June 2021, with the court finding that WW had exceeded permitted levels of wastewater into the River Wye. Annual Event Duration Monitoring data published by WW shows that between 2021-2023, Welsh Water has been responsible for spilling in the River Wye Catchment over 89,000 hours, an equivalent of over 3,000 days. Leigh Day partner Oliver Holland, who is leading the claim, said: “It is important that we hold all of the corporations that we allege are the biggest polluters of the Wye, Lugg and Usk to account in the legal action. “We believe that the evidence points to Welsh Water as a major contributor to the pollution of the Wye, Usk and Lugg. This legal action is not just about a single company or entity – it is about ensuring more widely that enough is being done to stop UK rivers and waterways from deteriorating. “Last year’s Supreme Court ruling in the case of Manchester Ship Canal v United Utilities has paved the way for Leigh Day to be able to expand the Wye legal claim. At present this will be the biggest nuisance claim for sewage operations against a water company in the UK.” The legal claim is supported by campaign group River Action, whose chair Charles Watson, added: “With the addition of Welsh Water as a defendant, this legal action is clearly shaping up to be one of the most significant pieces of litigation relating to river pollution yet witnessed in the UK. “The extensive work carried out by Leigh Day in recent months has now developed a holistic map of what are believed to be the principal sources of the chronic pollution of this iconic British River and there is now nowhere for the bodies we believe are the principal perpetrators of this scandal to hide.” Leigh Day will hold an event in Hereford Left Bank on the evening of Thursday 20 February 2025, for members of the community to talk to the legal team about the claim against Welsh Water.

Approval has been given to transform Hereford’s Shirehall into a new community space including an innovative library and learning centre. Planning permission and listed building consent was given full approval at the Planning and Regulatory Committee meeting held on Tuesday 28 January. It means that work can now begin on this exciting project to deliver a new, state-of-the art, community space and permanent home for Hereford’s Public Library. The design for this modern and vibrant facility has been carefully considered to both complement and revitalise the rich heritage of the Shirehall, whilst delivering the wider and much-needed restoration of this key historic building. The initial phases of work will focus on getting the building structurally sound, watertight and safe for public use while repairing and preserving the building’s important heritage features. The main entrance will be transformed into a large, welcoming area with exhibition space and improvements will be made to provide greater accessibility. The work will also include complete replacement of heating, electrical and fire safety systems throughout the building, targeting a range of improvements in building efficiency, performance and running costs. The Assembly Hall will provide the new home for the library and will offer readers plenty of space to relax, read or browse the collection and to join a wide variety of organised library events. Meeting rooms and flexible spaces for events and community activities will also be developed, offering plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved. A new learning centre will offer much improved facilities and services for learning, digital literacy, cultural activity and wellbeing. The plans have been developed and refined over many months through workshops, consultations and surveys. Public feedback from a consultation undertaken at the end of last year is being analysed and will also inform the design of the new library to ensure best fit to users’ needs. Councillor Harry Bramer, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Assets, said: Our plans outline how we will transform the Shirehall into a modern community space and library and learning centre while retaining important heritage features. It’s really great news that approval has been given by Planning Committee. Our plans for the new library are ambitious and exciting and will offer Herefordshire residents all that they would expect from their library – and much more. For example, there will be a fabulous programme of featured events on the Assembly Hall stage, a sensory room and a ‘makerspace’ with equipment for hire where people will be able to share their knowledge and ideas to work collaboratively on all sorts of projects. It’s still early days and we have a lot of work to do until the library opens to the public in the autumn of 2026. But this is a great first step and we look forward to sharing developments as we progress. In the meantime, library services will continue to be available from Hereford Town Hall. We are pleased that three times as many people are visiting this location than when it was based at Friar Street. This indicates that the new permanent location at Shirehall will be convenient for library users. The development of the Library and Learning Centre is supported by £2.6Million from Hereford’s Stronger Towns funding.

Fabulous new local venue in the heart of our fabulous city!

Please pop in for a cuppa, fresh cooked breakfast or some delicious home made cake!! Angela and some of the staff from the former 'First Light Cafe' are now baking cakes and preparing the all new cafe which opens their doors at 8:30am on Monday morning! A new safe place for veterans to relax and chill out with friends. The veterans wall is looking fabulous!! This wonderful new hub is open to everyone, so please support this local cafe and pop in for a nice coffee, some homemade cakes, breakfast, toasties, soup and food every day! Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday - 8:30am - 4pm Sunday - 8:30am - 2:30pm Hereford Voice are proud to be associated with this wonderful new local hub at Maylord Orchards in the heart of our fabulous city.

Planning was again approved, more recently for an extension after the original plans. The discount retailer has submitted a further planning application for new signage on the site of the former Three Counties Hotel the A465 Belmont Road in South Wye Hereford. New Signage 1 x Free standing flagpole sign. 2 x Canopy mounted entrance sign. 1 x Small wall mounted billboard. 2 x Large wall mounted billboards. 1 x Illuminated poster display unit. 1 x Trolleys sign. In their covering letter the agents Carney Sweeney working on behalf of Lidl's wrote, This package of signs is now the standard one that you will see at almost all Lidl stores across the UK, so we trust that you will find it non-contentious and feel able to give delegated advertisement consent without any undue delay. Construction work for the new supermarket is expected to begin shortly.

ART Hospitality Group (previously known as A Rule Of Tum) experienced its most successful year yet with a whole host of new openings, business ventures, investments and refurbishments. 2024 was a year to remember for the Herefordshire-based hospitality group, with many more exciting plans for regional expansion in the near future. Launching over ten years ago, the group now employs 120 staff across three cities and is planning to bring another 30 team members on board to help set up and run a much-anticipated new venture in Birmingham, working with famed chef Pete Dovaston, and increasing their total workforce to over 150 employees. 2024 saw the group completely transform Dr Foster (formally known as Dr Foster’s in Gloucester) from a local drinking spot to a stylish new gastropub. Undergoing an impressive refurbishment with a £375k investment, the new space is unrecognisable and has gone from strength to strength since the reopening, with a locally sourced menu and calendar of regular events. Head Chef behind the opening of Dr Foster and Head Chef of The Bookshop, Callum McDonald, was featured on MasterChef: The Professionals 2024 where he showcased his talent and determination, one of the reasons behind the success of both restaurants. The group also invested £30k in their popular Hereford hotspot, The Yard. Following a seasonal refurbishment of the city centre hangout to make it ‘Winter proof’, the unique venue allows diners to experience food from any of the group’s four Hereford restaurants; Burger Shop, Leaven Pizza, The Bookshop and Maneki Ramen, all through a seamless QR code ordering system. DishByArt, a dedicated events company, was also launched in 2024 and has helped to expand the hospitality group into bespoke catering and event hosting, with a £120k investment to get the latest arm of the business off the ground. This is simply another string to the company’s bow and was a natural progression that made sense to the founders, who have not only opened several restaurants in recent years but also run successful local food and music celebration, Hereford Indie Festival. Hereford Indie Festival 2024 hosted over 12,000 attendees during four days, generating over £400k for local suppliers, independent food vendors, makers and market stalls. The impressive line-up brought top-tier entertainment to Hereford and featured artists such as Feeder, Gabrielle and The Lottery Winners. In total, ART invested over £500k across new openings and renovations, demonstrating their commitment to growth and enhancing customer experiences. 2024 saw a phenomenal 34% revenue growth compared to 2023, showcasing the strength of the brand and offerings. With multiple award wins under their belt this year across numerous restaurants, including Leaven Pizza taking home four major accolades in the 2024 Italian Awards, there’s no stopping this hospitality group. The highly anticipated second Maneki Ramen restaurant is set to open early next year in a swanky Jewellery Quarter location with additional new group openings in the pipeline in the not-so-distant future. Dorian Kirk, ART Hospitality Group Founder and Operations Director, comments: “It’s an extremely exciting time for us, and we are so thankful for all our customers for a truly unforgettable year. 2024 was a great success and we are all raring to go for another jam-packed year. There’s lots of things in the pipeline that we are really looking forward to, and we can’t wait to continue to grow the business with our latest expansion. Work is progressing really quickly with our newest venture, Maneki Ramen in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. “Guests will be immersed in our Japanese inspired interior, with an open kitchen to display our talented team’s skilled techniques, alongside an exclusive chefs table experience, right in the heart of the culinary action!” Helping to support local is something the company is very passionate about, and giving back is at the core of the company ethos. In total, ART donated £10k to charitable causes in 2024, supporting community initiatives and organisations. As part of their commitment to shopping locally, they also generated over £800k for independent and small operators by using locally sourced, fresh and high-quality products across all restaurants. For more information on ART Hospitality group and their complete portfolio, please visit www.arthospitality.co.uk.

The Prince of Wales will visit Lower Blakemere Farm in Hereford to learn more about how the multigenerational farm has refined regenerative farming practices and farm diversification as part of its journey to net zero. Photo courtesy of Kensington Palace Lower Blakemere Farm is one of the Duchy of Cornwall’s seven Focus Farms, an initiative designed to share knowledge and experiences of the transition to greener farming practices. The 630-acre Hereford based farm was established in the early 1980s as a specialist seed grower with a herd of South Devon cattle. The farm has evolved over time and the family have embraced regenerative farming, with a focus on restoring soil health, boosting biodiversity, and using farming practices that are sustainable for the long term. Such approaches are at the heart of the Duchy of Cornwall’s efforts to reach its target of becoming net zero across the estate by the end of 2032. Tenant farmers Phil and Heather Gorringe, with their son Monty, have also diversified the farm business including repurposing the old grain store, creating an event space for local community use and launching a successful composting business. Kensington Palace