Policy information sourced from the East Herts District Plan

BISH8 Old River Lane

The Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre Planning Framework will form the basis of a Supplementary Planning Document, which will be used to inform the masterplanning of this site.

The site will provide for a mixed use development and around 100 new homes between 2022 and 2027.

The site will represent an extension of a historic market town. Therefore the masterplan will address the following:

  • the creation of a high quality mixed-use development of retail, leisure uses, along with a ‘civic hub’ of other commercial and community uses such as GP surgery and B1 office floorspace;
  • the creation of new streets and public spaces;
  • connections between the site and the existing town centre, towards Castle Gardens and to parking areas off Link Road;
  • a reduction in traffic speed along Link Road, with new or enhanced crossing points;
  • un-designated heritage assets, within the Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre Conservation Area;
  • key frontages such as Coopers will be enhanced by new public realm and buildings that reflect locally distinctive materials and design;
  • On-site car parking will need to be sufficient to meet the needs of the uses proposed, without encouraging travel to the town centre in order to avoid worsening traffic congestion and further impact on the Hockerill Air Quality Management Area. Parking will need to be provided to serve the town centre as well as commuters.

In addition, the development 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), including residential apartments on the upper floors of commercial uses;
  • Affordable Housing in accordance with Policy HOU3 (Affordable Housing);
  • new utilities infrastructure where necessary;
  • planning obligations including on and off-site developer contributions where necessary and reasonably related to the development; and
  • 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