Policy information sourced from the East Herts District Plan

BISH10 The Mill Site

Reflecting the site’s town centre location and proximity to the station, should the site come forward within or beyond the Plan period, the Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre Planning Framework will be used to inform the masterplanning of this site, ensuring that partial redevelopment of the site does not prejudice the ongoing operation of the site for commercial purposes. Masterplanning of the site should be undertaken in a collaborative manner involving the District Council, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and other key stakeholders.

Should the whole site, or any part of the site, come forward for development, the Mill Site shall include:

  • access along the river frontage connecting to the town centre via a new footbridge over the River Stort towards which this site will contribute as appropriate;
  • a new riverside hub of leisure and commercial uses with active frontages on the ground floor with residential and/or B1 office space on upper floors. Such development will not prejudice the continued operation of the mill and residential uses will only be permissible if the Mill ceases to operate on the site and the employment land designation is subsequently removed;
  • retention and enhancement of the most significant historic buildings, including improving the setting of the Registration Office and adjacent listed building, reflecting the site’s location within the Conservation Area;
  • high quality, vehicle-free public realm along the river frontage, enabling improved access to the town centre along the waterway. The orientation of buildings will retain an open riverside environment and building heights will avoid a ‘canyon’ effect;
  • a direct pedestrian and cycle-friendly route between the station to the south of the site, along Dane Street towards a new bridge over the river, connecting to the town centre;
  • high quality design which incorporates local material pallets and references the historic mill and industrial riverside heritage, incorporating sustainable design features;
  • opportunities for mooring;
  • landscaping and tree planting to reduce urban heat island effects;
  • the retention of a suitable buffer strip adjacent to Station Road Bridge to enable bridge widening to provide safe and attractive access between the station and the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists;

If residential uses are proposed on upper floors, they should provide:

  • a range of dwelling size, in accordance with the provisions of Policy HOU1 (Type and Mix of Housing), including some three-bed apartments;
  • Affordable Housing in accordance with Policy HOU3 (Affordable Housing);
  • necessary utilities, including integrated communications infrastructure to facilitate home-working; and upgrades to the localised sewerage network;
  • the delivery of all other necessary on-site and appropriate off-site infrastructure;
  • other policy provisions of the District Plan, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan for Silverleys and Meads Wards and relevant matters, as appropriate.

For more information please see the District Plan