Residents’ views sought on Wye Valley Villages proposals
A news item of March this year introduced a major project being conducted on behalf of MCC and the Wye Valley AONB by consultants ARUP. The latter have now produced their Stage 2 Report which provides a strategy and action plan for the villages.
The plan initially grew from issues around road safety and village infrastructure, however as these issues were recognised to form part of a much more complex set of challenges it was agreed by the Council, Wye Valley AONB and the Community Councils (including TUCC) to consider these issues in a broader village and Wye Valley context. The result is the Wye Valley Villages project.
Those who live, work and visit the areas within the report area are now being encouraged to read the report and respond with their opinions, comments and to feed in any additional suggestions. The report and consultation is now live and will run until midnight on Thursday 30th September.
The full report may be downloaded from here.
Residents are invited to leave comments by visiting the “Wye Valley Villages Virtual Engagement Platform” and its “Virtual Engage room” (see button below). Inside the room you will be able to see the emerging plans for the villages of the Wye Valley.
You are invited to take the time to explore the information which has been developed, before giving your views via the feedback option.
Note that feedback can be restricted to just one area. For example it is possible to comment just on the Penallt proposals just by clicking the map graphic copied below. NB you need to be in the “Virtual Engage room” to find this.
Penallt proposals - extract from page 44 and 45 of the ARUP report
“The village enjoys a prominent location elevated at the head of the valley. The area is largely community focused with visitor destinations focused around Humble by Nature and Penallt Hall (sic). Initial proposals are cognisant of these enterprises and build on these assets and the natural environment to shape a broader proposition around regenerative agriculture.
Street design to increase the sense of place, improve biodiversity and flood resilience (via SuDS) and improve road safety.
The deployment of regenerative agricultural pilots aligned to Humble by Nature, the existing nature reserves and village
The use of Penallt Hall (sic) as a rural enterprise hub”
Comment: it must be emphasised that all proposals shown below are as a result of a “desktop exercise” by ARUP and are not derived from any consultation with those involved. Many will come as a surprise therefore!
Explanation of icons (clockwise from top left)
Humble By Nature: information point, enhanced habitat, native perennial planting, local shop, restaurant, mix of new tree species, food production, ??
Pelham Hall Local Hub: co-working, digital skills, shared space design, publicly accessible WiFi, scenic trail, restaurant
Fields near Pelham Hall: mix of new tree species, enhanced habitat, native perennial planting, food production, scenic trail, sports/play
Village gateways: gateway feature, 20 mph zone, bus/electric bus stop, also shared space design at Old Baptist Chapel
Yellow shapes: proposed shared space