I had wondered whether you had been affected, Hereford seemed to be on the news alot. One of the other comment mentions flood defences: in Leicester these had been abandoned until a few years ago when whole streets were getting flooded during heavy downpours. It turns out there's an extensive system of drains and reservoirs and flood gates built throughout the city, these are now being cleared of debris and maintained. Aldi (or Lidl, one of them) wanted to build on a field at the end of the City "so people wouldn't have to travel" four miles to their nearest existing store - this is in an area with three major supermarkets within a mile of each other and numerous convenience stores. However, Oadby and Wigston Council to the rescue - as well as part of the flood defences, the field forms part of a green corridor across the south east boundary of Leicester and no-one will be building on it.
Another 60 years sounds right - if you're lucky :)