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The threat hanging over our village has been lifted as the planned development will not proceed. This result confirms that persistent engagement can influence the protection of our local landscape. We will monitor the site closely to ensure the integrity of the sunken bridleway remains undisturbed.

September 28, 2009

Protect Sellack from the developers

Protect Sellack from the developers

🏆 Won — 306 supporters Verified

Final supporters

P
Peter H.
K
kath f.
S
Sal W.
P
Paula C.
F
flick r.
C
Clare J.
A
a e.
S
Someone
H
Hannah B.
I
I.Holmes
+296 more
Started by Anonymous 17 years ago
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 These plans met with hot local opposition, and were withdrawn earlier this year.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!

Updates

Reached 250 supporters

August 23, 2009

August 21, 2009

The momentum generated by this petition has surpassed my initial expectations and confirms the depth of public concern regarding the ridge. This level of support ensures our opposition to the proposed construction cannot be ignored by local officials. We shall continue to press for the preservation of this sensitive landscape.

August 8, 2009

The uncertainty surrounding the ownership of this land remains a significant concern for all of us. I am currently coordinating with local representatives to verify the current status of the planning permissions. We must remain vigilant as we wait for further clarification on these development plans.

Reached 100 supporters

August 3, 2009

6 Comments

D
David Graham
16 years ago Featured

Totally against this. The ridge is too sensitive and that sunken bridleway is ancient history. Stop the destruction.

R
Rachel Kapoor
16 years ago Featured

PLEASE STOP THIS. It will ruin the meadow and the access is just not fit for purpose. Listen to the locals for once!!

L
Linda Perez
16 years ago Featured

Ridiculous idea. Keep Sellack how it is. We dont need developers ruining the landscape just because they want a profit.

T
Tom Adeyemi
17 years ago Featured

Not right. They ignored the land swop offer and are just pushing ahead. Greed over common sense.

M
Mark Lawson
17 years ago Featured

The lane is way to narrow for this. Who allowed this planning?? Its ridiculous.

S
Sarah Kennedy
17 years ago Featured

This village is beautiful and those roads will fall apart with all that heavy construction traffic. Leave it alone!

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