The draft Hereford Masterplan was revealed at the end of 2022 and focuses on a number of projects aimed at improving Hereford and making it a more welcoming place for visitors and local people.
The Masterplan highlights the key challenges facing Hereford and also the key opportunities for the city as it moves forward.
The Masterplan highlights the following four issues as key challenges for the city.
An ageing population.
A north-south divide in terms of prosperity.
A relatively low-skilled population.
The city centre being functionally disconnected from the surrounding communities.
The Masterplan then goes on to highlight the opportunities that the city of Hereford has going forward.
A wealth of cultural assets bolstered by recent ‘Stronger Hereford’ investments.
A strong sense of local identity and civic pride.
A newly launched university helping to draw in a younger demographic.
A burgeoning independent food and drink sector.
Future development which focuses on shaping a vibrant cultural scene, an evening economy and family-friendly spaces across the city.
Opportunity to create an age-friendly city and bring the ‘grey pound’ into the heart of the city.
Creating a city which is accessible for all abilities.
The Masterplan brings forward twelve big ideas to improve the city. The ideas are as follows.
Network of Low-traffic Neighbourhood
People-friendly Streets
Historic Walls and Gateways
Revealing the Historic Core
Rejuvenating the Historic Core
Hereford university City
Reconnecting to the River Wye
Station Quarter
Commercial Road Corridor
Re-establishing the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal
Enterprise and Innovation Corridor River
Lugg Green Lung
From Herefordshire Council:
“With an emerging Local Plan, a recently approved Big Economic Plan in development and a new Local Transport Plan, including a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan to come, Herefordshire Council is publishing in draft a detailed masterplan for Hereford.
“This celebrates the city’s character and provides a blueprint for making it an even better place to live, work and visit in the future.
“The draft masterplan will set out our vision to enhance the character of the city and improve connections to the market towns and villages nearby.
“Our aim is to make Hereford an even better city, a greener, healthier and safer place to live, work, study and visit – and crucially, an easier place to get around.
“Investing in good comprehensive planning for the city, comprising a strategy and outline plans, will mean we are ready to make compelling bids for capital funding when the opportunities arise.”
The full Masterplan can be viewed by visiting – https://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/documents/s50108560/Appendix%201%20-%20Hereford%20City%20Masterplan%20a%20Vision%20for%20Our%20City%20in%202050%20Consultation%20Draft%20Spring%202023.pdf
