Old River Lane: Developer submits plans to demolish two Bishop's Stortford town centre landmarks
Plans to demolish two Bishop's Stortford town centre landmarks have been submitted by East Herts Council's development partner.
Cityheart plans to knock down Charringtons House in the Causeway and the Water Lane United Reformed Church (URC) Hall to make way for a mixed cultural, commercial and residential quarter called Old River Lane.
The council's vision is for a "high-quality, mixed-use scheme of exceptional design" delivered by Cityheart.
Key features will be a £15.5m arts and cultural centre alongside housing, retail and restaurant space and a public square.
The planned demolitions of Charringtons House and the URC hall has prompted campaigns to retain both, with activists arguing that the latter – home to the Laughing Bishops Comedy Club – is a vital performance and community space while the office bock could be repurposed, perhaps as a further education facility.
To support its demolition plans, which also encompass three residential properties in Old River Lane, Cityheart commissioned a heritage statement from Cotswold Archaeology.
Its experts say: "The site lies near several listed buildings, including the distinctive former malthouse of 15 Bridge Street, the United Reformed Church and Water House, all grade II listed.
"Historically, the River Stort flowed through the site in a north-south orientation, however the river was rerouted in the late 1960s and represented a permanent alteration to the setting of these listed buildings.
"Subsequent development during the late 20th century within the site has included car parking and council offices (Charringtons House), marking a distinct change from the historical views of the river, with a backdrop of pastoral land and Waytemore Castle to the east."
The report says the proposed development centred on the Causeway car park "respects the scale and mass of the historic core" and is "considered to represent an enhancement to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area".
It says the site is currently dominated by the "tall and wide form" of Charringtons House, a late 20th-century office building that does not reference, respect or harmonise with neighbouring historic buildings.
The earliest parts of the URC hall date from 1915, giving "a degree of appreciable age to the building", but later extensions and lack of listing mean its loss will not result in harm to the neighbouring church by altering its setting, the report advises.
Cotswold Archaeology concludes: "Overall, the proposed development incorporates a modern design that respects and incorporates aspects of the historic character and appearance of Bishop's Stortford Conservation Area."
A further planning application from Cityheart, setting out its building proposals, is expected soon.
In the meantime, East Herts Council is continuing its efforts to find an interim use for the Causeway car park. It cannot be used for public parking because of a condition imposed as part of planning permission for the Northgate End multi-storey.
A spokeswoman told the Indie: "Our ambition remains to see the Causeway car park used for the town's benefit ahead of its redevelopment.
"We continue to work with market and event operators to discuss potential options. The proposals considered to date would unlikely generate revenue for the council but instead bring life to the space pending the revitalisation of Old River Lane.
"We have encouraged local organisations interested in using the car park for performances, markets and events to get in touch and that invitation remains open."
