There is only one way to get to Net Zero The fundamental issue is the movement of people and goods. If this can be resolved then so much else follows at minimum cost. So much has been written, so much research conducted and yet creating the nirvana of the perfect 21st Century habitation has alluded us. 

I’m proposing we further improve Hereford as the City hub providing focus for the county’s major cultural and sporting events. Market towns will provide similar but with local focus and a major expansion of Ewyas Harold/Pontrilas would service the hinterland in the south west. Rural parishes would work with their local market town. All new development (housing and commercial) to be concentrated in the city, market towns and along the principle transport links; apart from infill in rural areas. The removal of development rights in rural areas and unplanned spasmodic development will help to preserve the natural capital of the county especially for the benefit of tourism – little estates of executive homes do not enhance our environment – they are far from ‘sustainable’ as the National Planning Policy Guidance instructs. Health and local authority service providers will usually be in the towns. Larger rural communities and new ones along the transport corridors will become self sufficient for their general local needs, including small primary schools; and there will be a return to vitality in the market towns where shared services and facilities will continue to be located including learning establishments.

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Nearly half of Herefordians live outside of towns in the countryside. How can this half be supported to contribute to the economy and the benefit of the whole County? With big changes coming in the agricultural sector the need for a re- positioning of farming, without losing the benefits of the beautiful landscape, is likely. Merging tourism into our rural landscape is not easy with a poor road network and the needs of farmers and businesses. Surely this is best achieved by restraining miscellaneous building and siting any new developments along the transport corridors. Guidelines from ‘Transport for New Homes’ suggests decent public transport should be available within ten minutes’ walk of all new housing! A reasonable demand and entirely necessary if we are to get to net zero. But we all like our personal vehicles and even when these become driverless we’ll need roads and parking. Let’s remember personal transport is the most convenient and lessens demand on public transport but causes congestion that inspires the use of public transport. Also over 25 percent of inhabitants do not drive and are entitled to a reasonable level of transport support, whether dial-a-ride or similar.

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We need to lobby for a new station at Pontrilas, improved rail links to London, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff, and principal trunk roads. Building new housing along the improved transport routes complete with light trams would complete the vision. It is not easy and compromise is needed.  Rural Parish Councils will need to work with each other and update Neighbourhood Development Plans.  Public bodies will need to concentrate on their core responsibilities, maintenance of transport links, security, fire, health services and education.