New flat plan for Hereford city riverside spot

A plan has been put forward to turn part of a building in a scenic but flood-prone Hereford spot into a flat.

The application (number 240034) submitted by Mr R Nash seeks planning permission to turn the rear of the ground floor of 25 Bridge Street, by the city’s Old Bridge, into a one-bedroom “studio apartment”.

The whole ground floor is currently classed as business accommodation, having previously housed County Training, now part of Hereford, Ludlow & North Shropshire College.

Two car parking spaces and secure cycle parking would be provided at the new flat, accessed from Wye Terrace to the rear, while there would also be access on foot down a small alley off Bridge Street.

The two upper floors would stay as a separate flat, while the front part of the ground floor would remain as a smaller commercial property.

Dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the row of buildings is grade II listed, meaning listed building consent (application number 240035) is also being sought.

The spot lies mostly within flood zone 3 and is “susceptible to a high possibility of flooding” from the adjacent river Wye, the application acknowledges – though it points out there is no record of this actually happening.

According to an accompanying flood risk assessment, this risk can be reduced to “acceptable” levels with suitable measures.

Comments on the applications can be made until February 8.