Threat to avenue of lime trees on Kings Acre Road, November 2016
The wonderful avenue of trees greeting visitors from the west along Kings Acre Road has been
likened to a cathedral, with a vaulted roof. However, a number of these trees may currently be
under threat. The two current planning proposals for Three Elms (1200 new homes) want new
access points into their developments for roads (potentially 3), cycle-ways and footpaths, (in
addition to Huntington Lane), along a very short length of Kings Acre Road. Each new road would
need at least one tree removed, most probably more, to ensure safe visibility for drivers. One of
these road access points may be for the proposed “bypass”.
Extent of the Three Elms (Church Commissioners) development site
See planning proposals for Three Elms, P162920/F for all the details, including 138 supporting
documents. See accompanying P162921/F for the 98 representations/objections so far (comments
are still possible, to Planning Case Officer Ed Thomas). See:
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/development-control/planningapplications
Proposed access to the Three Elms (Church Commissioners) site from Kings Acre Road, plus corridor
for potential western “bypass”
See also the current Taylor Wimpey planning application that completes proposed development
along the Kings Acre Road frontage, proposing one new access road: P163334/O Taylor Wimpey
(please make comments on current plans by 25 November!)
If these new homes have to be built, access arrangements ought to be reconsidered or rearranged to
minimise loss of trees.
Proposed access and tree removal on the Taylor Wimpey frontage to Kings Acre Road
Update on the Southern Link Road, November 2016
Grafton Wood is ancient wood pasture with large areas of broad-leaved helleborine and adder’s
tongue fern (close to the A49, in the path of the Southern Link road that is due to link to the
Abergavenny Road A465). The planning application for the Southern Link Road was approved by
Herefordshire Council in June 2016, and they acknowledged in the Minutes that:
"Officers have now had the opportunity to seek advice on this and can confirm that the plant in
question (Adder's tongue fern) falls within Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is
therefore protected against damage etc. Damage or loss should be avoided, but if that is not possible
it can be translocated with a licence from Natural England in a similar way to any protected
species."
However, following a formal complaint, Herefordshire Council now maintain:
"Similarly to broad-leaved helleborine, this species (Adder's tongue fern) does not receive any specific
legal protection; is not a Species of Principal Importance; and is listed as a species of ‘Least Concern’
within the IUCN Red List…. The findings you, and others, brought to our attention do not alter the
advice and recommendations relating to the impact of the proposed development on the Ancient
Woodland."
Mitigation woodland for loss of part of Grafton Wood will be planted on the Eastern Construction
Site compound where soils are likely to become badly damaged by construction traffic etc.
Herefordshire Council have written: “No objections to this were raised by either the Council`s Ecology
or Natural England.....it is intended that following construction, the compensation area will be fully
restored to its current condition prior to the habitat creation and woodland planting work
commencing.... At this stage, there is no intention for the local planning authority to request or
require the applicant to seek a different area for the woodland planting."
Proposed mitigation on eastern construction compound by the A49, following removal of trees in
Grafton Wood
Grafton Wood: some of its oaks and the Broadleaved Helleborine orchids (September 2016)