Following an article in last week’s Ross Gazette, plans which have been submitted to build 32 homes on Cawdor Gardens, which will entail the removal of the railway arch at the entrance, are still the topic of much debate.

The applicants and owners of the land, the Ross Charity Trustees, told the Ross Gazette:?“In particular, we feel there is a need to focus on the fact that there is a housing need in the town and that of the 32 dwellings it is proposed are to be built, 13 will be affordable homes.

“Enormous lengths have been taken by the Architects to minimise the impact on the environment, relating to the development of the site.

“It had been hoped that the bridge could be left in place but unfortunately it is too small for fire engines to get through – hence necessitating its removal if houses are to be built.”

Regarding Cawdor Arch, a spokesperson for Herefordshire?& Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service said:?“HWFRS, including the Ross-on-Wye fire station, has a variety of emergency vehicles, including vehicles for restricted access areas which are turned out as first attendance vehicles. If required, other larger engines are able to follow.”

The Ross Charity Trustees added: “The site itself is incredibly well situated, being within walking distance of the schools, town centre, shops and open countryside. It is probably the only site of its type in the town.

“The site is owned by the Ross Charity Trustees with the land originally being gifted to the then Cawdor Gardens Trust. The purpose of the Trust is to provide housing for local people."

They added:?“If the Trustees are successful in obtaining Planning Permission, it will result in 32 dwellings being built, of which, I repeat, 13 will be affordable, and the proceeds from the sale of the land will be used by the Trustees (who currently manage 21 properties in the town) to provide further housing for local people.

“The Trustees are all locally based and understand the needs of the town, and they can often be more flexible in their criteria regarding tenants than larger organisations.

“The Trustees feel strongly that this is a very rare opportunity for the creation of houses for people to live in where the proceeds from the sale of the land will also be re-invested back in to the community.”

Following this, a reader contacted the Ross Gazette to ask if the site is listed on Historic England, as it has been previously suggested to be an architectural and historical landmark.

Historic England told the Ross Gazette that it isn’t listed, but individuals, groups or organisations who wish to apply for listing, should visit the website: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/apply-for-listing/

They added that there is no set time frame for the listing process, but their listing team take applications with a time pressure into account when handling work load.

Residents have until August 16th to comment on the proposals and Herefordshire Council planners expect to consider the plans by October 15th.

The planning application can be viewed on the Herefordshire Council website, visit: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200142/planning_services and search reference number P182617/F.