A new £1.4 million cycle centre for Hereford can now go ahead after councillors gave it their unanimous backing today (August 10).

Lying within the city’s racecourse off Holmer Road, the Hereford Cycle Hub will cater for beginner cyclists up to competitive road racers and mountain bikers.

Its centrepiece will be a kilometre-long, six-metre-wide loop circuit, formed of three sub-loops. One full-size football pitch would be lost to the development.

The bid by Halo Leisure, which runs the adjoining leisure centre, has the backing of British Cycling and Sports England, with Herefordshire Council and Hereford City Council also contributing to the cost.

It received 16 letters of support. Hereford Racecourse objected due to the feared impact of the planned crossings over the course and the potential compacting of its surface, as well as over drainage and access.

The course's executive director Rebecca Davies said: “Hereford Racecourse has always supported the concept of a cycle track in the centre of the racecourse.

“However we raised some concerns on the impact of this new development on our business and are pleased to have worked through these constructively with Halo Leisure and Herefordshire Council.”

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Given the general support from other consultees inside and outside the council, and “the significant health and social wellbeing benefits that will result”, overall the scheme should go ahead, the council’s planning officer said.

Councillors on the council’s planning and regulatory committee today unanimously voted in line with the officer’s recommendation.

Halo Leisure marketing manager Cathy Fletcher said: “There are some more steps to be taken to secure the final funding, in particular the Stronger Towns Fund bid which we will know the outcome of in October.

“We are currently developing the specifications of the track in preparation for the contractors and are forging ahead with developing a project plan.”

This story was updated to include responses from Hereford Racecourse and Halo Leisure.