Sellack is a tiny and secluded Herefordshire village nestling in the AONB. Many years ago, the big house Caradoc Court, burnt down. After many changes of ownership, a man began restoration, but soon ran out of money. As an 'enabling development' that we all objected to most strongly but to no avail, the planning department granted him permission to build SIX modern houses along a visually and ecologically sensitive ridge above the river meadows, and the only means of access is an incredibly ancient sunken bridleway. Currently nothing wider than a landrover can access this, as it is bordered by ancient trees. However, due to other circumstances, the man had to sell Caradoc, and ownership passed to a wealthy local County Councillor. He rapidly finished the renovation, and then announced his intention to build the six houses to a new design in order to reimburse part of the cost of rebuilding Caradoc. These plans met with hot local opposition, and were withdrawn earlier this year. An alternative site was offered by a local landowner as a 'land swop', a real attempt at arbitration, but we all feel that this offer was not taken seriously. We have now been told that Caradoc has been sold again, but the plot of land has been retained and there is some lack of clarity over who now owns it, other than the threat that WORK WILL COMMENCE EARLY AUGUST ON THE BUILDING OF 6 HOUSES TO THE ORIGINAL PLANNING PERMISSION DESIGN. The building of these homes will increase traffic unbearably, increase light and noise pollution, displace wildlife including horseshoe bats, toads and newts and result in irreversible damage to the trees. On top of this, Sellack has remained unchanged in size for many hundreds of years and this development is simply and utterly out of place. Please sign our petition and express your support for our campaign. Also please visit our website for more information (links on the right of the page) The petition will be handed to the leader of Herefordshire Council, Mr Paul Keetch MP and anyone else who needs to hear Herefordshire voices and those of their friends raised in protest. Don't worry about the screen that pops up after you submit your signature asking for a donation, its just their little joke!

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