Policy information sourced from the East Herts District Plan

HERT2 Mead Lane Area

Land in the Mead Lane Area, to the east of Marshgate Drive, is allocated to provide around 200 homes by 2027, as part of mixed-use development.

A Masterplan will be collaboratively prepared, involving site promoters, landowners, East Herts Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertford Town Council, and other key stakeholders. This document will further be informed by public participation in the process.

Subject to, and in accordance with, the provisions of the Mead Lane Urban Design Framework, December 2014, 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);
  • Affordable Housing in accordance with Policy HOU3 (Affordable Housing);
  • delivery of 3,000m² B1 employment floorspace, or other employment generating uses that would be compatible with the uses on neighbouring land, which will provide appropriate opportunities to promote self-containment and sustainability and to assist in providing a buffer between existing employment uses and new residential provision;
  • provision of appropriate mitigation measures on boundaries shared with existing employment uses within the overall Employment Area that should both ensure a good quality living environment for new residents and prevent existing or potential uses within the Employment Area being jeopardised;
  • quality local green infrastructure throughout the site including maximising opportunities for linking into and improving existing assets and enhancing biodiversity, especially along the river corridor;
  • necessary new utilities, including, inter alia: integrated communications infrastructure to facilitate home working;
  • sustainable drainage and provision for flood mitigation;
  • access arrangements and appropriate local (with contributions towards wider, strategic,) highways mitigation measures, which, inter alia, should include: a segregated emergency access at Mill Road between Railway Street and Claud Hamilton Way; improvements to the Rowley’s Road/Mead Lane level crossing for pedestrians and cyclists; and a link between Marshgate Drive and the existing spur road to the east of the site to facilitate pedestrian and cycle access, and which should also complete the circulatory route to allow for the extension of bus routes into the area. In the event that land ownership issues preclude this arrangement, provision should be made within the site for suitable access and turning arrangements to facilitate bus penetration to the north east part of the site;
  • the widening of Marshgate Drive to allow for improved vehicular and pedestrian access and car parking/car share scheme to be delivered within a Green Streets approach;
  • encouragement of sustainable transport measures, both through improvements to the existing walking and cycling networks in the locality and through new provision, which should include, inter alia, a 3m pedestrian/cycleway to the south side of Mead Lane in addition to improvements to the towpath and links with the adjoining area and the town centre (in particular addressing links to Hartham Common and Kings Meads) and enhanced passenger transport services;
  • remediation of land contamination resulting from former uses;
  • public open space/s within the site, including the provision of a play area and opportunities for public art interventions and space for wildlife;
  • landscaping and planting, both within the site and peripheral, which responds to the existing landscape and complements development, as appropriate;
  • development will protect or, where appropriate, enhance heritage assets and their settings, including the Grade II listed Hertford East Station and Signal Box, through appropriate mitigation measures;
  • the delivery of all other necessary on-site and appropriate off-site infrastructure;
  • other policy provisions of the District Plan and relevant matters, as appropriate.

For more information please see the District Plan