Hereford Voice

It's been 3 months since the Three Counties Hotel was demolished. Today contractors have began initial work on the pond as construction of the new Lidl store slowly begins.

Agree, everything is so expensive! And yes the World is a weird place right now

A gang of drug dealers who flooded cocaine and cannabis into Worcestershire and Herefordshire have been sentenced to a total of 94 years and four months at crown court. Paul Bailey of Redditch was sentenced to 20 years at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (Monday 31 March). His sentence is the final one in a complex and lengthy investigation by the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands Region (ROCUWM) called Operation Pyrogenic which has seen other gang members sentenced at earlier court appearances. Six of them were convicted of conspiracy to supply 10 kilograms of and cocaine 20 kilograms of cannabis and were dealt with as follows: - Paul Bailey, 56, of Jersey Close, Redditch was sentenced to 20 years. Jamie Worrall, 38, of Sandicliffe Close, Kidderminster, was previously sentenced to 17 years on Wednesday 6 November. Arron Adams, 39, of Boughton Avenue, Worcester was sentenced to 22 years on 6 November. Adam Nicholls, 42, of Weyburn Close, Worcester was sentenced to 23 years on 6 November. Nicola Everton, 37, of Cummins Farm, Hindlip, Worcester was sentenced to six years on 6 November. Phillip Smith, 57, of Gregorys Bank, Worcester was sentenced to 6 years 4 months on Friday 8 November. Another accomplice - Shaun Carr, 39, of Woodmancote, Worcester was given a 10-month sentence, suspended for 12 months after being found guilty of money laundering on 6 November. Operation Pyrogenic was a ROCUWM proactive operation into the large-scale supply of cocaine and cannabis into Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the West Midlands area. The operation took place between April 2020 and July 2021 revealing the gang operated a large-scale middle market drugs supply chain and were involved in the sourcing, distribution and selling of drugs which reached as far as Lincolnshire and Devon. This organised crime group used encrypted mobile phone devices on a platform based in France called ‘Encro-chat’ to organise the supply of cannabis and cocaine which were infiltrated and deciphered by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Bailey, Adams, Nicholls, Worrall, Everton, and Smith used these devices to orchestrate the multi-kilo supply of cannabis and cocaine into the region. They continued to operate after the Encro-chat network had been infiltrated by police using other encrypted communication applications. On July 9, 2020, Everton was arrested by police with a kilogram of cocaine in her vehicle on the M5 near junction 6. On January 6, 2021, police arrested Bailey, Adams, Nicholls and Smith at their home addresses. During searches of the addresses, imagery was found to assist in the attribution of the Encro-chat handles. Nicholls foolishly sent an image of his computer with his reflection on it over the Encro-chat under one of the user handles. On 27 October 2020, Carr was arrested by officers at junction 2 on the M5 with £17,000 in a plastic shopping bag. They found one of Nicholls’ fingerprints on this bag. Police seized numerous mobile phones after the conspirators had been arrested. On Smith’s mobile phone, police found evidence of drug supply and conversations between him and other conspirators about the movement of drugs. Carr, Smith, Bailey, Everton and Worrall all pleaded guilty prior to trial. After a three-week trial at Worcester Crown Court a jury took less than six hours of deliberation to find Adams and Nicholls guilty of the conspiracy on 6 November. Some of the evidence from the case. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Cooke from ROCUWM, said: “This is a fantastic result following a complex investigation. The team have successfully taken a large number of drugs off the streets and put this group who caused misery in our communities behind bars for a very long time. “Drugs ruin lives and poison communities and we remain dedicated to breaking supply lines through our region. “These offenders are ruthless and think nothing of exploiting vulnerable people, putting them at risk of serious harm, while they sit back and count the money. “These sentences send a strong message that drug dealers will be caught, and they face many years in prison. “We will continue to strive to keep drugs off our streets and protect vulnerable people.”

Ross-on-Wye has helped to fund two new CCTV cameras in the town with additional funding coming from round 5 of the Home Office Safer Streets fund. The new cameras have been installed and are now live on Wye Street, covering the Bandstand area and on the Ropewalk. Ross-on-Wye Town Council invested £10,500 to the scheme with further funding from the Safer Streets Fund which aims to tackle neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls and anti-social behaviour. The Safer Streets Fund also funded a new CCTV camera on Pig’s Alley.

Herefordshire Museums & Galleries are excited to introduce their new identity for the county’s museum service! 👀 Notice the Herefordshire Museums & Galleries logo, featuring the name in bold uppercase letters with the words stacked across three lines. But this isn’t just a name change—it’s about creating a stronger, more connected museum experience for everyone. Why the change? To better reflect the full scope of our museums, galleries & collections To make it easier to explore & engage with everything we offer To celebrate Herefordshire’s incredible heritage in fresh, exciting ways From The Old House Hereford to The History Store and the soon-to-be-redeveloped Hereford Museum & Art Gallery, this marks the start of something bigger, bolder, and more inspiring for our visitors. Discover more: https://orlo.uk/hmsXj

Today is a very special day at St Michael's Hospice - Hereford It’s exactly ten years since their beautiful, welcoming Inpatient Unit opened. The building marked the biggest expansion, at that point, of their care since the first welcomed patients back in 1984. 📷 St Michael's Hospice - Hereford Hereford Voice - Well done to everyone at St Michael's Hospice - Hereford for the wonderful, caring, professional and compassionate services that you provide to our community.

Herefordshire Museum Service is being revitalised, thanks to a grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The grant was made following a successful application by Herefordshire Museum Service Support Group. Their successful application means that the museum service has been able to make changes and create new and more engaging opportunities for visitors than ever before. Herefordshire Museum Service has unveiled a fresh new identity, ‘Herefordshire Museums & Galleries’, marking an exciting new chapter for the county’s cultural landscape. More than just a collection of historical sites, the rebranded service reflects a commitment to art, heritage, and creativity, ensuring that Herefordshire’s rich cultural offering is accessible and inspiring for all. Two key sites have been renamed to better reflect their cultural and historical significance, making it easier for visitors to connect with them. The Black and White House Museum has returned to its original museum name, Old House Hereford, reinforcing its identity as a beautifully preserved historic home at the heart of High Town. The Museum Resource and Learning Centre has become The History Store, a name that highlights its role as a treasure trove of local heritage, research, and discovery. The rebrand is part of a wider initiative called ‘Heritage Reimagined – Revitalising Hereford’s Heritage’, made possible through a £4,500 grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Alongside the new names, visitors will notice fresh signage and branding, enhancing the look and feel of these important heritage spaces and making them more welcoming and accessible. To mark the relaunch, special celebratory events were held this week, giving the public a chance to experience the new identity first hand. Damian Etheraads, Museum and Art Gallery Lead at Herefordshire Council, said: We are sure that visitors will notice and embrace the changes we have made, thanks to this funding. We are incredibly grateful to the Herefordshire Museum Service Support Group and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for making this possible. We want visitors to get to know and really engage with their local history and heritage - but also with the wider world of art and creativity. Our museums and galleries are places where stories come alive, creativity flourishes, and every visitor leaves feeling inspired, connected, and part of Herefordshire’s thriving future. To coincide with the rebrand, Herefordshire Museums & Galleries has released a new spring and summer ‘What’s On’ guide, detailing upcoming events at Old House Hereford and The History Store, as well as in Ross, Ledbury, and Leominster. The guide includes a mix of family-friendly activities, school holiday events, and seasonal programming, ensuring that visitors can engage with art, history, and heritage in new and dynamic ways. Copies of the guide are available at Old House Hereford, History Store, libraries, and tourist information centres. The rebrand comes as Hereford Museum and Art Gallery undergoes an ambitious redevelopment to transform it into a modern, engaging space for art, history, and culture. While the main museum is being renovated, the newly rebranded sites will continue to host events, exhibitions, and community activities, ensuring visitors remain connected to Herefordshire’s heritage.

Disgusting vandals! Even though we needed to spread the word for our friends at the Club House... it's clear that we are someone else's go to place for the latest news...😉 Just 16 minutes..

As part of efforts to improve flooding resilience in the county, the council is pleased to welcome the ‘Floodpod’ to Herefordshire on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 March. The innovative FloodPod showcases lots of examples of property flood resilience to help people understand the various ways they can protect their home or business from flooding to minimise disruption and damage. Flooding advisor Mary Long-Dhonau OBE (also known as ‘Flood Mary’) will be on hand to answer any questions and give advice. The ‘Floodpod’ will be open to all local people in the following times and locations: Friday 28 March, 9.30am-1pm: Leominster, Etnam Street car park Friday 28 March, 3-6pm: Peterchurch, village hall Saturday 29 March, 9.30am-1pm: Ledbury, St Katherine’s Street car park Saturday 29 March, 3-6pm: Ross-on-Wye, Red Meadow car park Councillor Nick Mason, Cabinet Support Member, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the ‘Floodpod’ to the county. It is a valuable source of information to help people improve the flooding resilience of their property and a great opportunity to ask questions of Mary Long-Dhonau OBE, a distinguished expert in flooding advice.” The council’s flooding web pages have also been revamped, with the improved section now hosting live information about flood warnings and river levels. The new feature is a perfect resource for people to keep an eye on current and upcoming flooding risks, and will help to boost preparedness across the county. Cllr Mason added: “ Herefordshire Council is committed to improving our county’s flood preparedness, response and resilience. We will be investing an additional £2 million over the next two years in flood resilience and response capacity. “The ‘Floodpod’ and new web features are only part of the effort, but their value could be immense. I would encourage local people to visit the ‘Floodpod’ and take a look at our online resources to reflect on how we can all work to improve flooding resilience in Herefordshire.” For more information, please visit herefordshire.gov.uk/flooding

Application to build on land to the east of the A40 and south of Starling Road, Ross-on-Wye. 3D illustration 'Proposed erection of a residential care home (Use Class C2), with associated access arrangements, car parking, amenity space, landscaping, drainage and all other associated works' Full details HERE

A 63-year-old man was yesterday (Thursday 20 March) jailed for two residential burglaries in Herefordshire. Martin Bradley, of Austin Road in Bromsgrove, was handed a 16-month prison sentence for the burglaries which he committed in 2023. Bradley forced entry into a property in Ullingswick on 23 May, causing damage to the house, and stole household items and taxidermy poultry. A week later, on 30 May, Bradley broke into a second property in Dinedor. On this occasion cash, jewellery and garden tools were amongst the items stolen. He used two different vehicles in the burglary – using one to flee the scene in and then switched to another shortly after. He was charged with two counts of burglary dwelling and theft on 31 May 2023 and pleaded guilty to the offences earlier this year on 18 February. Bradley was sentenced to 16-months imprisonment for both charges which will run concurrently. DC Simon Caine of Proactive CID in Hereford said: “Despite Bradley switching vehicles after fleeing from the Dinedor burglary to evade police, he was stopped by officers in Bromyard later the same day, and items from the break-in were located stashed under his drivers’ seat. “We were able to identify Bradley’s vehicle at the Ullingswick address through CCTV footage. He was seen at the property 11 days before the offence and then again on the day he broke in. “We will continue to pursue offenders like Bradley whose actions cause financial loss and emotional distress to victims.”

Plans by the Cornish Bakery have been submitted to Herefordshire Council for 'Proposed alterations to existing shopfront to provide new entrance' The site was most recently occupied by Regatta outdoor clothing.

Savills Have Listed One Of Hereford's Most Popular Pubs For Sale. Savills have been instructed to invite offers in excess of £895,000. ▪️Freehold public house investment for sale let until February 2033 at a current rent of £71,321 per annum. The property comprises the ground, basement and two upper floors of a two storey detached building with painted rendered and brick elevations beneath a pitched and hipped roof. ▪️Accommodation Ground Floor: The ground floor provides two interconnecting trading areas with a bar servery and seating for 58 customers. To the rear of the property there is a function room with seating for 44 customers. Ancillary areas include a trade kitchen and customer WC's. First Floor: The first floor comprises three double bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, office, WC and storage. To the rear is a skittle alley with seating for 16 customers. Second Floor: The second floor comprises two bedrooms. Basement: The basement provides a cellar and stores. Externally: There is an enclosed customer area to the rear with seating on loose tables and chairs for 118 customers. No additional seating is provided to the front elevation. There is no car parking. ▪️Tenure The property is held freehold (Title Number HE13265). ▪️Tenancy The entire property is let to Erasmus Inns Limited on a lease expiring 27 February 2033 at a current rent of £71,321 per annum which is subject to annual RPI increases with a collar of 2% and cap of 5%. A rent deposit of £10,363 is held by the landlord. ▪️Planning The property is Grade II Listed and is situated within the Hereford Central Conservation Area. ▪️Viewings All viewings must be made by prior appointment and under no circumstances should any direct approach be made to any of the occupational tenants staff. Details - https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gb0456s287502

West Mercia Police have today confirmed they were called to a footpath near the River Wye in Hunderton, just after 7am this morning. A spokesperson for the force said: "We were called at around 7.10am today (March 16) to concern for someone's safety near Villa Street. "A man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Initial enquiries suggest there is no third-party involvement."

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!