Old River Lane: Public meeting to take place to get council to ditch scheme

A public meeting to discuss plans to transform the Causeway has been called by the Cross-Party Old River Lane Working Group.

The coalition of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Party members has organised the forum for Sunday February 19, from 2.45pm, at The Bishop’s Stortford High School in London Road.

Labour’s Yvonne Estop-Wood and Lib Dem Cllr Mione Goldspink said: “The Old River Lane (ORL) site is of huge significance to the whole town, and residents deserve to know exactly what is being planned.

"They also have a right to express their opinions and the council has a duty to listen. We do hope that many people will come to join us on February 19.”

Cityheart, East Herts Council’s ORL development partner, wants to knock down Charringtons House and the Water Lane United Reformed Church Hall and build 225 homes, shops, offices, an arts centre and a public square on the site.

As well as members of the public, the working group has invited representatives of Bishop’s Stortford Civic Federation, Bishop’s Stortford BID (Business Improvement District), Bishop’s Stortford Climate Group, South Mill Arts, the town's arts performance groups and the URC hall’s resident comedy club, Laughing Bishops, to attend.

Everyone will be invited to sign a letter calling on East Herts Council to scrap the demolition plans and to rethink the redevelopment of the key town centre site.