COUNTY planners have given the go-ahead to demolish an historic railway bridge arch and build 32 homes in Ross-on-Wye.

Ross Alms House Charity’s proposal includes 13 affordable homes, an ecological corridor and a separate public open space at land next to Cawdor Gardens.

The scheme also includes the demolition of Cawdor Arch, which formed part of the long defunct Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway, to provide adequate access to fire and emergency service vehicles.

Steve Fellows, technical safety officer at Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service, said: “Access via the bridge was compromised by the width and height restriction, meaning a fire appliance would be unable to access to within 45m of all parts of the dwellings. There was no alternative route to the site.

“After some discussions with regards excavation and dropping the road, a conclusion was reached as to the demolition of the bridge so providing adequate access.”

But local resident Alison Park said in a written statement that emergency vehicles could actually access the site and had done so in the past.

“This has been confirmed to me by the former divisional officer Joe Simpson who advised that no only could full tenders access, but that Ross has smaller than average tenders due to accessing farm roads and narrow bridges in the area,” she said.

She said if the low levels of the arch are to be retained, taking the arch down would not make any difference to the width of the road.

Ms Park also raised concerns over loss of on street parking for the nearby houses.

Ward councillor Louis Stark said he could see the social value of the historic arch but did not want to lose the benefits that came with the scheme.

“The 13 affordable housing units will be very welcome to Ross and we also have the planning contributions,” he said.

The financial benefits include £48,200 for John Kyrle High School which could go towards an extension and £20,558 will be used for a clubroom and changing facilities at Ross Rugby Football Club and dedicated junior football pitches and changing rooms at Ross Sports Centre.

Some £43,000 will go towards providing sustainable transport and a Traffic Regulation Order to prevent on street parking at the junction of Homs Road and Cawdor Arch Road.

Hereford County Hospital is also set to benefit from £16,964.79 but coun Stark said this funding would be better suited going towards the community hospital in Ross.

Councillors Toni Fagan and Jim Kenyon asked about the possibility of accessing the site from River View to the north so as to avoid demolishing the arch.

But officers said the land was not owned by the applicant, there was an electric substation nearby and that ground levels were significantly different.

Ten councillors voted for the scheme, one against and one member abstained