Plans to demolish flood-prone cottage withdrawn

A cottage stands near a road with a walled garden. The walls are partly brick and partly black and white. Across the road, there is a grassy verge and hedge. Further cottages are around the property. There is open countryside further away.Image source, Google
Image caption,

Vinery Cottage in Wellington could not be lived in or rented, its owner said

  • Published

A planning application to demolish a flood-prone house in a village in Herefordshire, that met opposition from residents nearby, has been withdrawn.

Nick Jones had said in his planning application in March that Vinery Cottage in Mill Lane, Wellington, north of Hereford, was "uninsurable for flood risk whether for buildings or contents", meaning it could neither be lived in nor rented out.

Opposition came from Wellington Parish Council, which said the building was part of the village heritage, and several residents said it was a nesting site for swifts and a habitat for bats.

Herefordshire Council confirmed the application had been withdrawn.

Applicants do not need to give a reason, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Mr Jones had said the cost of maintaining and repairing the former stables after successive floods in the village "exceeds any realistic rental value".

The parish council said the "prominent" building was "part of the village heritage", adding it would be "deeply concerned were the experience of flooding in itself to become justification for demolition of otherwise sound properties".

Floods hit more houses

Several residents raised concerns about wildlife and Clint Joseph said the building was an established swift-nesting site, adding: "Where swifts are nesting there will also be bats."

The council's ecology officer had previously noted no ecology report had been submitted with the application.

Resident Kim Musson said smaller rental properties "are needed in Wellington village", while Lyn Langford said demolishing the cottage would "drastically change the street scene" in the conservation area.

She said: "Over 40 houses have flooded in recent flood events, and permission for this demolition could set a precedent."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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