East Herts Council does not expect new Old River Lane planning application until 2025

A planning application to transform Bishop’s Stortford’s Causeway car park into the Old River Lane (ORL) development is not expected until 2025.

Almost a year ago, in September 2023, East Herts Council’s (EHC) development partner, Cityheart, withdrew its much-criticised £80m proposals to build new shops, restaurants, offices and up to 225 homes, including 75 “extra care” units. It also withdrew a plan to demolish the Water Lane United Reformed Church Hall and three homes.

That followed what looks increasingly like a permanent pause on plans for a £15.5m cinema-led arts centre on the former Charringtons House car park, imposed soon after the Green Party and Liberal Democrats took control of the authority, ousting the Conservatives in the May 2023 local elections.

Bishop’s Stortford’s Cllr John Wyllie (Con, Thorley Manor) questioned EHC leader Cllr Ben Crystall (Green, Hertford Bengeo) on progress at the latest meeting of the full council.

“It’s now over 12 months since the last district council elections and the change of administration that followed,” said Cllr Wyllie. “In that time there appears to have been very little progress in relation to the Old River Lane project.” He asked for an update and an anticipated timeline for work.

Cllr Crystall said that in June, the council’s ORL board was briefed by development consultants Montague Evans and legal advisors Weightmans. The discussions centred on a development agreement, including pre-conditions to be met by Cityheart, for the work to proceed.

Cllr Crystall said: “The board had a good discussion and gave authority for the agreement to be signed.”

He confirmed that new terms include an adjustment to the site boundary so the former URC Hall in Water Lane and three houses, all owned by East Herts, were no longer part of the scheme.

“Adjusting the red line boundary on what is a very complex site has taken much toing and froing and detailed negotiations with a number of partners. That inevitably takes time,” said Cllr Crystall.

“But this is a key site for Bishop’s Stortford, so we are doing our very best to get it right.”

Until the council has enough cash to proceed with arts centre plans, it wants to make “best use” of the southern end of the site, including a public square, and has started talking to stakeholders.

Cllr Crystall said: “We held two workshops with a number of partner organisations to consider the overall design and layout of the square, alongside potential uses. Feedback from these sessions has been very helpful and we will be launching a public consultation very soon.

“Once that closes and we have public feedback, we will finalise the design for Cityheart so they can include it as part of their planning application.

“In terms of timelines, once the development agreement is signed, we expect Cityheart to begin a collaborative master planning process before they can submit a full planning application, which we would expect to see probably later next year.”

East Herts Council has already announced a budget of £170,000 for essential maintenance to the URC Hall.

Cllr Wyllie asked what the total cost of saving the building would be and asked Cllr Crystall for an assurance that consultation would be “inclusive of everyone in Bishop’s Stortford”.

Cllr Crystall said he did not yet know the cost, but a survey was being carried out to determine the final bill.

He added that consultation beginning this week and running through to September would include online information and events in the town.