How Hereford's southside is going to be transformed

The Southside Project will offer sports pitches, market gardens for schools and the local community as well an affordable cafe and cookery school which will make use of the fresh produce grown on site. In addition, there will be a programme of activities for all ages, including children and young people.

A meeting took place at the Kindle Centre yesterday evening to discuss plans for the project with people living in the area.

Developed by the community for the community, The Southside Project has been brought to life by Belmont Wanderers FC - which has been running from the site for 12 years - together with Growing Local, an established Herefordshire organisation which specialises in growing and cooking produce, along with NMITE, the city’s new university which focuses on practical, hands-on learning.

An artist's impression of the Southside Project, Hereford

RELATED NEWS:

• Revealed: big plans for new south Hereford 'destination'
• Hereford landscaper shortlisted for BBC show award
• Changes at Herefordshire main road junction where drivers crash

Members from each group came together last night to present the project and take on ideas from residents of southside.

Chris Tipping, of Belmont Wanderers FC, said he was born and raised in southside and now lived in Newton Farm, so he has great passion for the area.

“It’s not about making southside better, but making a great side even better,” he said.

Pat Gordon and Lousia Foti shared how Growing Local would be creating a garden free for local people to look around and school children to visit.

“Together we are creating a community asset,” said Ms Foti.

A presentation was shown by all three groups

James Newby from NMITE said the project would allow children to develop skills that would give them a better chance of higher paid jobs.

“It will allow them to be more able to provide for their families,” he said.

People were given the opportunity to raise any points they wanted to discuss.

The meeting proved popular with local people

OTHER NEWS:

• New Hereford coffee shop aims to become business hub
• Firefighters called to commercial building in Hereford
• Drug-drive water bailiff caught on his way to Hereford fishing pool

Tracy Bowes, ward councillor for Belmont Rural, said she thought the project was fantastic and it had her full support.

While others raised concerns over the vehicles the project could bring to the green area, the maintenance of the 3G pitch, the pollution in the area and how the area will be secured.

All issues the groups said they would be taken on; all planning issues are being looked at by consultants and new ideas were welcomed.