Hereford'S Holmer Road area is a classic case of here today, gone tomorrow.

Recently, the former furniture store known as Casa, more buildings behind it and two houses on the side disappeared in a flash.

Now a large modern skeletal building is filling the space ready to tempt shoppers to visit later this year.

What they will have to offer is still in the melting pot, say developers Kilmartin Property Group, based in Edinburgh.

The new premises are expected to be divided in to three retail stores and the company is in talks with prospective retailers, said spokesman Alan Mitchell.

Expect to see more major changes in Holmer Road in the near future.

With Denco planning to move its business to Moreton-on-Lugg, there is a question mark over the future use of its five-acre site.

Developers Morbaine, who have handled many projects in Hereford, including the Safeway store, has already lodged a planning application with Herefordshire Council for 70,000 sq ft of retail stores there.

Until this application has been resolved Denco cannot say when it is moving and Morbaine is unable to give any more details. Look out for some planning response in March or April.

But if it does all go according to plan, there is much demolition and rebuilding waiting to happen in Holmer Road and it could be 2006 at the earliest before new stores are in business.

WATCH out too for developments off Grandstand Road. Hereford will never forget the fire which destroyed Sun Valley's Corbett block and led to the tragic death of two young Herefordshire fire fighters.

The site has been lying empty for some years but there is news that things are happening.

Penn Tools, now in Edgar Street, has acquired the old Jubilee office headquarters of Sun Valley, together with adjoining land, and were given permission on Monday to relocate there.

The remaining part of the site now belongs to a company called Bovale, from Shrewsbury, which is considering its future use. It is understood that Sun Valley included a 'no housing' restriction when it sold off the site.

PARTS of the former SAS site between Bullingham Lane and Hoarwithy Road are coming crashing down as house builders Wimpy prepare for new development.

Most of the old red brick buildings are being demolished to make way for new homes.

Wimpey is in a first phase build of 160 houses, and the final total will eventually top 500, built during the next few years.

Demolition has started and work on the new estate, including the provision of open space and leisure facilities, will start soon.

IN Legion Way, off Roman Road, another major development is reaching completion - a new headquarters for Herefordshire Housing, which now runs its business from several locations in the city.

When the new building opens in June around 150 staff, including those in maintenance, will be based there.

Herefordshire Housing came into being in November 2002, taking over council housing stock in the county. It is now responsible for round 5,700 homes, garages and shops.

Speaking from the construction site, Herefordshire Housing's director of operations Gordon Shirley, said: "By bringing our staff together within these exciting premises, we will be seeking to further improve the levels of service that we provide to our tenants.

"However, we are also mindful of the needs of our customers for convenient access to our services, so we will continue to maintain our presence at outlets in the city centre and at other towns."

The HQ is situated behind the new BMW garage off Holmer Road and it wants a name.

Herefordshire Housing's staff are being asked to come up with ideas and it is hoped a choice will be made in time for the opening. Watch this space.

ONCE upon a time it was known as Meadow Market, Herefordshire's first out-of-town discount store, opening in 1971.

Based at Withington it attracted customers from far and wide.

It was later snapped up by Normans to become one of its chain of 14 stores, changed hands again and then became part of the Plymouth and South Devon Co-Operative Society.

But, with major supermarkets springing up in Hereford, it closed its doors in 1998 with the loss of 55 jobs. More recently the site was used as a garden centre and a Bewise store.

The buildings are now being demolished and Jennings Homes is hoping to build between 50 and 60 properties there. The site has been sealed off with fencing in a bid to deter trespassers.

The last planning details are being ironed out but work is expected to start soon.