New cattle market plan submitted

The market would relocate to north of the city centre

Plans for a multi-million pound cattle market in Hereford have been submitted after officials spent more than 12 months working on the details.

The current site, near Edgar Street, needs to be vacated to make way for a £200m redevelopment of the city centre.

Research work included how to avoid ground water becoming contaminated by animals using the site, extra traffic generated and estimates on the smell.

The new site would be situated just north of the city centre.

In total, 51 separate documents have been submitted to council planners.

'Top shopping destination'

Relocation costs are thought to have increased but the council will not confirm exact figures as it says negotiations with construction companies are on-going.

The new 12-acre development which will replace the market would include 1,000 new homes and a retail and leisure complex.

However, businesses already in that area have said they have not been properly consulted and are concerned they would not receive any compensation for the disruption it would cause them.

A final decision on the successful design will be taken at the end of the month.

Those behind the project said they wanted to make Hereford a top shopping destination to rival Worcester, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

They estimate that when the development opens in 2012 it will create up to 1,500 new jobs.

An extra 600 people will be employed to build it.