PLANNING permission for the levelling of a former railway embankment in Ross-on-Wye to provide an access road has been granted.

The access road on the Broadmeadows Industrial Estate, would link land to the north and land to the south of the embankment.

Herefordshire planners also approved the creation of concrete pads in the north slope of the railway embankment; the siting of two portable cabins on the existing concrete pads; and the erection of a new workshop building.

The original application had included the retention of the existing workshop and sheds but these will now be demolished and replaced with a new building which will be set closer to the site boundary.  The new building will be a visual improvement to the existing building, and will fit in better with neighbouring sites.

Along with the new workshop and the portable cabins, the replacement of old wooden fencing is required to be undertaken as well as secure palisade fencing to the south boundary. The southern entrance would have automatic raising barriers.

Planning officer Tracey Meachen concluded: “The proposal already has planning permission to make use of a redundant parcel of land which would increase the efficiency and vitality of the surrounding employment land within Ross.

“The application is therefore representative of a sustainable form of development and is accordingly recommended for approval, subject to a number of conditions.