Policy information sourced from the East Herts District Plan

BISH3 Bishop’s Stortford North

Land at Bishop’s Stortford North will accommodate a minimum of 2,529 homes between 2017 and 2033 (650 homes to be delivered between 2017 and 2022; 1,250 homes between 2022 and 2027; and, 300 homes between 2027 and 2033).

West of Hoggate’s Wood, will accommodate around 850 homes. The site shall include the provision of:

  • a primary school of two forms of entry;
  • a neighbourhood centre providing a range of local shops and services;
  • a new roundabout on Hadham Road to provide vehicular access to the area;
  • outdoor playing pitches at Hoggate’s Wood;
  • equipped areas for play as part of a wider green infrastructure strategy;
  • a sustainable transport spine road (bus route, cycleway and pedestrian use only) connecting Hadham Road through to the land east of Hoggate’s Wood, a hierarchy of local roads, including walking and cycling networks.

Land between Hoggate’s Wood and Farnham Road will accommodate around 1,350 new homes between 2017 and 2033. Prior to the submission of reserved matters planning applications (pusuant to outline planning permission 3/13/0804/OP), a Masterplan will be collaboratively prepared, involving site promoters, landowners, East Herts Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and other key stakeholders. This document will further be informed by public participation in the process. Development in this location shall include the provision of:

  • a primary school of two forms of entry with an Early Years facility;
  • land for a secondary school of six forms of entry. The layout of the schools should be designed to provide for the dual use of indoor and outdoor sports facilities for community purposes;
  • vehicular access by a new roundabout on the A120 and also by a new junction on Rye Street;
  • continuation of the sustainable transport spine road connecting to the western neighbourhood to access points created for the eastern neighbourhood;
  • a neighbourhood centre comprising a mix of local shops and facilities, business incubator units, health facilities, and a play area/open space;
  • a new employment allocation to provide modern business premises attractive to B1 employment uses;
  • preservation and enhancement of Foxdells Farm as a focus for a public space and appropriate community or leisure facilities; and

In order to ensure that the site is planned and delivered comprehensively, any application for development on part of the site will be assessed against its contribution to the Masterplan, and will not prejudice the implementation of the site as a whole.

East of Farnham Road, 329 homes shall be provided in accordance with planning permission 3/13/0886/OP. The site shall include the provision of:

  • a site for a one form entry primary school, unless appropriate provision is made elsewhere;
  • public open and amenity space and appropriate landscaping, including land to the east of Hazelend Road;
  • access and highway improvements, including a new roundabout junction to provide suitable access to the site and surrounding land;
  • a sustainable transport route through the site;
  • essential on-site infrastructure including utilities.

The development across the whole site is expected to address the following provisions and issues:

  • a range of dwelling type and mix, in accordance with the provisions of Policy HOU1 (Type and Mix of Housing);
  • Affordable Housing in accordance with Policy HOU3 (Affordable Housing);
  • a care home/ flexi-care or sheltered properties in accordance with the provisions of Policy HOU6 (Specialist Housing for Older and Vulnerable People);
  • Self-Build and Custom Build Housing in accordance with Policy HOU8 (Self-Build and Custom Build Housing);
  • responding to the existing landform, incorporating existing landscaping within new streets, paths and spaces, creating quality local green infrastructure which maximises opportunities presented by existing landscape features including watercourses, to create net gains to biodiversity through additional planting and other measures. Proposals in the vicinity of Farnham Bourne and Bourne Brook will need to reflect the River Stort Catchment Management Plan;
  • a new Country Park shall be provided to include the Green Belt land north and south of Dane O’ Coy’s Road, including Hoggate’s Wood and Ash Grove, including long-term arrangements for management and maintenance. Other open spaces and play areas should also be provided throughout the site;
  • the rural character of Dane O’ Coys Road shall be preserved, and access along the road shall be reserved for pedestrians and cyclists only;
  • a network of well-signposted pedestrian and cycle routes between the development and the town centre;
  • a circular bus route connecting with the bus/rail interchange in the town centre;
  • the preservation of strategic long views of St. Michael’s Church and All Saints, Hockerill, and views of mature trees;
  • easy access to the village of Farnham must be maintained along Farnham Road, including during the construction period;
  • 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 any other relevant matters, as appropriate.

For more information please see the District Plan