Tony Geeson is plain wrong about UK population trends, although he is absolutely right that Hereford does not need a bypass.

UK population grew to 65.1 million in 2015 (half a million since 2014) Except for in 1976,the number of births has exceeded deaths since 1955.

Immigration is a big factor, and has increased population by 250,000 a year from 2004-2015-twice the emigration figure. Migrants  tend to be between 20-30 years old, that is working and childbearing age. 

Of 32 European countries the UK has the third largest population and the fourth largest density. By 2050 Britain will have the largest population at 77 million. This is unsustainable from the point of view of our public services and our ecosystems.

Compared to the rest of the country Herefordshire has always had a low population density, and, as a rural community this is how it should remain. However, most of those who govern the County seem to think that more industrial development and agri-business is the way ahead despite their recent declaration of a Climate Emergency. The pressures of increased population in the rest of the UK will eventually affect Herefordshire, and the building of numerous 3-4 bedroom “executive” type housing so often allowed by the Council, will only increase the flow of aspirant migrants from the other, wealthier, but increasingly overcrowded regions.

Thane Meldrum, Almeley