East Herts Council sets out stall on public square plans for Bishop’s Stortford

East Herts Council (EHC) has promised to give Bishop’s Stortford residents advance notice of further face-to-face consultation on a public square for the town.

The authority’s deputy leader, Cllr Mione Goldspink, who is its executive member for neighbourhoods, and Ben Wood, the head of communication, strategy and policy, were in South Street last Thursday (August 15) to answer questions about the proposals for the Causeway scheme.

However, their appearance at the market was not announced in advance and Indie readers voiced their concerns on Facebook.

Jan Carpenter commented: “Is there to be any repeats of this, does anyone know? Did I miss any notification of this happening today?”

Kevin Johnson praised the principle, but said: “[I would have] loved to have come down and put my point over on this subject, really good to see councillors trying to get public opinion, so many people want to have their opinion heard.”

Liberal Democrat Cllr Miriam Swainston, the town council’s leader and an EHC member for Bishop’s Stortford North ward, said a second market stall consultation was planned and if it went ahead she would publicise it.

Fellow Lib Dem Cllr Chris Wilson, EHC’s executive member for resident engagement, said he would ensure there was more notice in future but added: “I think partly this is as we intend to have public meetings whereas this is intended to catch people incidentally as much as anything.”

The “listening council” is consulting on its plans for a public square, which will form part of the Old River Lane development on the former Causeway and Charringtons House car parks.

Cityheart, the council’s project partner, is said to be pressing ahead with new plans for homes, shops and offices on the site, which it will now fund.

The council was going to finance the development. However, after the Green Party and Lib Dems ousted the Tories from power in May 2023’s local elections, they decided the scheme was unaffordable.

They also “paused” plans for a £15.5m cinema-based arts centre and instead have budgeted £1.5m for “a high-quality public space” which can be used for markets, outdoor cinema and performances.

The authority also hopes to provide a pavilion, with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, where Charringtons House now stands. It is hoped materials from demolition of the 1970s office block can be reused.

Councillors are calling on residents to take part in an online survey before they finalise the design.