Shops shut in city centre protest

About 100 people marched in protest against the Edgar Street Grid plans

Independent traders in Hereford shut early to join a protest about regeneration plans, which they say would split the city in two.

The development agency Advantage West Midlands and Hereford City Council plan to transform the Edgar Street Grid area for shopping, leisure and housing.

Protesters said it would be on the other side of a dual carriageway away from the existing shopping area.

The council decided to reject a plea to delay consultations.

The council said it would hold an eight-week public consultation about the plans from 18 January.

It said it would still listen to people's views, but it had to act quickly to avoid losing funding for the project.

Petition submitted

It said a new mixed-use retail park and link road was needed in order to ensure the city's future prosperity.

The entire project is expected to take about 15 years to complete.

It includes 1,000 homes, a new civic quarter, several squares, a multi-screen cinema, department store, shops, cafes, bars and bistros.

About 100 people joined the Its Our City Campaign march to Shire Hall on Friday. They handed a petition in to the council with about 9,000 signatures calling for more time for public consultation about the plans.

Jonathan Davey, who runs Hereford Map Centre, said: "It's going to really decimate the city and it's going to make Hereford a ghost town."

Council leader Roger Phillips said: "Nothing is set in stone in terms of how regeneration is shaped. The reason we are having a debate in that we all care about the future of Hereford."