East Herts Council claims strong support for new public square in Bishop’s Stortford

The results of consultation on plans for a new public square and pavilion in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford reveal a generational divide.

Overall, the town’s teenagers were more enthusiastic about the plans for a £1.5m piazza on the Causeway site, replacing proposals for a £15.5m arts centre.

Facing a financial crisis, the district council’s Green and Liberal Democrat coalition paused the previous Conservative administration’s cinema-led scheme on the former Charringtons car park.

The administration said it could be 10 years before the arts centre is back on the table. In the meantime, the public square and wooden pavilion will provide an alternative space for outdoor performances and activities.

According to East Herts Council (EHC), 1,030 responses were received – 730 online, 54 on paper and 244 through targeted questioning.

CCR focused on people “in the street” – specifically those from a younger demographic. Overall, there was an even mix of ages who responded to the online consultation, while the over-60s were most likely to write in.

Across all formats, more women than men took part. The vast majority of respondents said they lived in Stortford and came to the town centre often.

To what extent do you like the proposed idea for a public square?

61.5% of those online said they really liked or quite liked the overall idea. This dropped to 57% for the 61+ age group.

For those taking part in the hard copy surveys, 79% said they liked or really liked the idea, dropping to 75% for those over 61.

In CCR’s research, 87% of those aged 16-18 liked or really liked the idea, dropping to 68.9% for those aged 46-60.

What do you think of the proposed idea for a pavilion?

59% of respondents online said they really or quite liked the proposal; this dropped to 52% for those aged 61+.

For those responding via hard copy, 65% really or quite liked the proposal, increasing to 69% for those over 61.

CCR found that 92.7% of 16- to 18-year-olds really or quite liked the proposal, dropping to 69.3% for those aged 46–60

The pavilion generated the most ‘don’t really like’ and ‘really dislike’ responses. This was 15% for the hard copy responses, rising to 19% for those aged 61+ and 25% for the online responses, rising to 27% for those aged 61+.

To what extent do you feel the seating will complement the square and make it a place people want to come?

70% of those taking part online said they really or quite liked this idea. This increased to 79% for those aged 61+.

77% of those taking part in the hard copy really or quite liked the idea, with those aged 61+ about the same (75%).

In the CCR research, 96% of 16- to 18-year-olds really or quite liked the idea, dropping to 84.4% for those aged 46-60.

What do you think of the proposed green edges for the site?

80.1% of those taking part online quite or really liked this proposal. This was about the same for those aged 61+ (79%).

93.7% of those taking part in the hard copy said they liked or really liked the idea, roughly the same as those aged 61+.

CCR found that 96% of 16- to 18-year-olds liked or really liked the idea. This dropped to 84.6% for the 46-60 group.

What sort of events would like to use the space for?

Those taking part online backed markets, followed by open-air performances and a place to visit and relax. Those aged 61+ had the same priority list; however, a place to meet friends was joint third.

Those taking part in the hard copy survey wanted markets and open-air performances followed by art exhibitions/family and children’s activities (joint third). Those aged 61+ had the same priority list, except a place to visit and relax was third.

CCR found that a place to visit and relax was the most popular, followed by a place to meet friends and then markets.

Comments included: “Great idea - going forward it would be a shame to lose the public square idea if funds become available for an arts centre. Maybe some longer-term planning needs to be considered.”

“How about an outdoor lido somewhere in Stortford? It’s a family town with only the splash park to cool down in the summer. Pool could have a cover for the winter months and be used to hold live music with solar power for heating.”

“Too many events assume fine weather; for example, cinema, exhibition, performances. A new indoor cinema would be a good idea. No facility for new parking. Jackson Square is expensive.”

“It is a disgrace that promises of a new theatre and cinema have been broken.”

The council has concluded there is strong support for the overall proposals: “Even the least popular element – the pavilion – only had one out of four people saying they disliked it online (and less in hard copy and via CCR).

“Generally speaking, those in the younger groups are more likely than those in the older groups to be supportive of the proposal. However, even in the older groups, a majority of responders are still generally in favour.

“Markets seem to be the priority event that people would like to see, followed by open-air performances and a place to visit and relax.”

The feedback will be used to finalise designs for the square. It will be built by Cityheart, the council’s Old River Lane development partner.

A new planning application for the whole site – including new homes, shops, restaurants and offices – is expected next year.

When the development is complete, East Herts Council will retain ownership of the public square.