Old River Lane: East Herts Council begins public consultation on vision for Bishop's Stortford town centre
Consultation has begun on a document outlining East Herts Council's vision for the most dramatic and controversial change in Bishop's Stortford town centre for a generation.
On Monday evening, at an extraordinary meeting lasting just eight minutes and 25 seconds, the authority's Conservative executive rubber-stamped the 76-page Old River Lane draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
It is the foundation for future planning applications for the key Causeway site, set to include a cinema-focused arts centre, housing, restaurant and retail space and a new public square.
The new multi-storey car park at Northgate End, which opened last month, is the cornerstone of the scheme, freeing up surface spaces at the Causeway and Charringtons car parks for the new building by the council's development partner Cityheart.
The scheme has already undergone substantial changes. Early last year EHC said that the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and changes to Government lending rules for local authorities meant its original proposal for a £30m arts centre including a 544-seat theatre was no longer viable. It unveiled a £15.5m venue with a five-screen multiplex instead.
The Old River Lane Working Group, established by the district's Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties, has been harshly critical of the project. The loss of the United Reformed Church hall in Water Lane has been a particular bone of contention.
Cllr Jan Goodeve, EHC's executive member for planning and growth, said: "The SPD will help developers understand our vision and aspiration for Old River Lane. It also gives us more detailed criteria to judge future planning applications against, which I hope demonstrates our commitment to delivering the best possible development for Bishop's Stortford.
"Producing the SPD has been a collaborative effort and I would like to thank everyone involved for their input. It is now vital that we share this vision more widely with everyone who lives, works or spends time in Bishop's Stortford."
The SPD is a high-level strategic document that sets out objectives for sustainable development and travel, better walking and cycling connections, enhanced public spaces and a varied mix of shops, leisure and community uses to create a "vibrant destination" that complements the existing town centre.
It has been completed after months of work with key interest groups and partners through the Old River Lane Steering Group. This includes representatives of EHC, Hertfordshire County Council, neighbouring landowners, the developer, the town council, the Neighbourhood Plan Group, Bishop's Stortford Climate Change Group, Bishop's Stortford Business Improvement District (BID) and Bishop's Stortford Civic Federation. A number of community representatives also attended its meetings.
The SPD also sets out the council's expectations for the heritage aspects that must be considered as part of the planning process, to retain Stortford's historic market town character.
Cllr Jonathan Kaye, EHC's executive member for communities, reflected on the changes over the past 50 to 60 years and said: "Bishop's Stortford is a great town and a historic town… and I think it will continue to change for the better."
The draft SPD and details of how to comment are online at www.eastherts.gov.uk/old-river-lane-supplementary-planning-documents.
The consultation is open until 5pm on Tuesday August 2.
* See Letters and Opinion, pages 10-11
