To approve expenditure of £260,000 to restore land at Weir Farm

That:

a) Approval is granted for the expenditure of £260,000 allocated within the 2025/26 capital programme to proceed with option D to deliver restoration of land owned by National Trust in accordance with an agreement in place between Herefordshire Council and National Trust as landowner.

b) The Delivery Director for Infrastructure is authorised, in consultation with the corporate Director for Economy & Environment to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above recommendations

Alternative options

Do nothing: this option is not recommended since it would be contrary to the obligations placed on Herefordshire Council by the agreement in place with National Trust, whereby the Council is required to restore land disrupted by the installation of the Flood Alleviation Scheme and allow safe access for pedestrians across the land.

Option A: Below ground culvert from the current FAS outfall to the River Wye. This option is not recommended due to the heavy engineering required which would potentially weaken the subsoil.

Option B: Surface channel from the current outfall to the Mill Leat. This option is not recommended due to the heavy engineering required, as in option A.

Option C: Enhance the existing flow regime from the current FAS outfall to the River Wye. This option is not recommended due to insufficient confidence that this option would deliver the long term solution.