A homeowner in Wellington, north of Hereford, is applying for permission to demolish his own property after relentless flooding rendered it uninsurable and uninhabitable. Nick Jones submitted planning application number 250949 for Vinery Cottage on Mill Lane, citing severe flood risk affecting both the building and its contents.
According to Jones, the cottage “is now uninsurable for flood risk whether for buildings or contents,” making it impossible to rent out or maintain without incurring losses. “I spent ten years converting it at considerable cost,” he explained. “Then we had the storm damage – which has cost me about £40,000 each time to repair.”
Despite installing flood gates and reinforced walls following Storm Dennis in 2020, the property suffered two more floods last winter. “If someone can think of another option, I’d jump at it,” Jones added, emphasizing his desperation.
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The former stable lies adjacent to the Wellington Brook, a known floodplain. The cottage is not heritage listed and is isolated, with no nearby properties or trees that would be impacted by demolition. The closest building is the larger Vinery, also owned by Jones.
However, Herefordshire Council’s ecology officer, James Bisset, opposes the proposal. Bisset notes the cottage may serve as a potential bat roosting site, a feature observed locally in the past, warning that no ecological survey has been submitted with the application.
Public comments on the application are open until June 13.