Have your say at Bishop’s Stortford market on East Herts Council’s plans for a public square

East Herts councillors Mione Goldspink and Miriam Swainston will answer questions about the district’s £1.5m plans for a new public square for Bishop’s Stortford.

At the market on Thursday (August 29), the Liberal Democrat duo will explain the authority’s proposals for Charringtons House and its former car park in the Causeway.

Their pitch will be in South Street, outside the Waterstones bookshop, and is part of public consultation on the Old River Lane project.

While the council waits for Cityheart to submit a revised application for homes, offices and retail units on the former Causeway car park, it is pressing ahead with its own plans for a plaza and pavilion on land previously earmarked for a £15.5m arts centre.

Cllr Swainston is also the leader of the town council and Cllr Goldspink is both the deputy leader of East Herts and its executive member for neighbourhoods.

The public square is set to host markets, outdoor cinema and performances with the potential for a pavilion.

Cllr Goldspink said: “The council has been thinking very hard about the plans for the development of the Old River Lane site.

“Ever since the council discovered that the funds for building a theatre on the site were insufficient, it has been considering other possibilities for the use of the ‘theatre space’.

“As a council, we now wish to share our ideas with all residents, and to ask for comments and suggestions.”

To take part in the online consultation, see https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/about-east-herts-0/old-river-lane-redevelopment-project/about-old-river-lane-development.