The Essex Arms site was acquired as part of the link road compulsory purchase order and associated side roads order (14 March 2013) and the construction of Station Approach city link road (CLR) along the northern boundary of the site. The land underneath the footprint of the road was needed for the scheme – it is the remainder of the land that was subject to this investigation.

Cabinet have been in discussion with environmental groups who are keen to maintain the site as green space and are considering this as an option for the site.

The investigations carried out so far have demonstrated that the cost and timescales for raising the ground are unlikely to support economic development of the site. These investigations now estimate that the overall cost of raising the ground is unlikely to be recouped from its value as a development site.

The site was identified as possible green space during Cabinet’s master planning exercise for Hereford which included a review of the Station Approach sites. There was broad agreement amongst Cabinet to explore green space as an option for the site.