HEREFORD people have had their say on a new city centre ‘urban village’ planned as a fundamental part of the overall Edgar Street Grid (ESG) project.

Everything from housing designs to the shops nearby were discussed at a consultation day with the Sanctuary Group – the housing association chosen by ESG bosses to oversee the introduction of 1,000 private and affordable homes in the Blackfriars Street area.

The Kindle Centre meeting was told that prospective developers would be given design guidelines, produced by liaising with the local community, before building starts in 2011.

Hereford architect Trevor Hewett said he was keen to see widespread use of local materials and renewable energy resources, while others felt the project should benefit existing businesses and those in education.

Andrée Poppleston, a committee member of Hereford Civic Society, said: “The one thing I am interested in is using the local people – the plumbers and electricians should be coming from our own colleges.”

Sanctuary staff pointed out that the Blackfriars Urban Village would inevitably affect ESG business plans and vice-versa.

Commercial director Hilary Gardner said ideas were welcomed not just on housing but also on community facilities and the regeneration of the nearby canal basin before plans were submitted next June.

The new village is expected to sit next to a 12-acre shopping and leisure complex, based on the livestock market, which is due to be launched to potential developers in March.

ESG development director Gerrard Williams told the meeting Sanctuary had been whittled down from six prospective associations in accordance with EU guidelines.

Liaisons manager Bobbie Hadley now has the job of letting others have their say by visiting schools, colleges and businesses in the community.

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said.