Town landscaping plans can begin

A contractor has been appointed to carry out long-delayed landscaping work to create a new public square beside Ledbury’s historic Master’s House.

Herefordshire Council extensively renovated the formerly derelict grade II* listed medieval building between 2011 and 2015. It now houses the town’s library and hosts a range of events.

Plans to re-landscape its surroundings were then put forward, and approved in 2018.

These involved creating a new public square to serve as a destination for visitors and gateway to the Master’s House from the town centre which could also host market traders and public events.

Only minimal changes were to be made to the current Herefordshire Council-owned car park around the building, the town’s largest and seen as key for the nearby shops and businesses.

The landscaping work is being split into two phases, the first having already secured funding of £165,000. This is made up so-called section 106 developer funding of £110,000 arising from the building of the nearby Aldi supermarket, and £55,000 from the council’s unspent capital budget.

The council has now appointed Hereford-based contractor Owen Pell to carry out this first phase following a competitive tender which drew two submissions.

The firm will extend an existing retaining wall to enable levelling of the proposed square; install drainage and backfilling behind this; create a paved ramp and handrail; and install “pop-up power points” and lighting to illuminate the neighbouring St Katherine’s Hall.

Already £32,700 has been spent or committed on the project, which funded the replacement last year of two large cypress trees in the car park with more historically appropriate native trees.

Owen Pell Ltd was approached for comment but had not been informed of the contract win.