Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Neighbourhood Plan Team Meeting April 21 st 2015 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of ThorleyAgenda Apologies for Absence Apologies for Absence Chairman’s Announcements Chairman’s Announcements Minutes of the last Meeting Minutes of the last Meeting Matters Arising Matters Arising Stage 2: Goods Yard, Town Centre and Areas for Regeneration Stage 2: Goods Yard, Town Centre and Areas for Regeneration Stage 2: Business and Retail Stage 2: Business and Retail Publicity and Engagement Publicity and Engagement Preparation for next meeting May 12 th 2015 Education Stage 2, BS South and BS East Stage 3 Preparation for next meeting May 12 th 2015 Education Stage 2, BS South and BS East Stage 3 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley The Goods Yard, Town Centre and Areas for Regeneration Stage 2 - Policies © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Policy Context and Background Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire, December 2014 Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire, December 2014 National Planning Policy Framework National Planning Policy Framework East Herts Local Plan Second Review 2007 East Herts Local Plan Second Review 2007 East Herts Draft District Plan East Herts Draft District Plan © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Objectives for Goods Yard Master Objective: To provide an attractive, innovative and sustainable gateway to Bishop’s Stortford Master Objective: To provide an attractive, innovative and sustainable gateway to Bishop’s Stortford Create an improved public realm by providing attractive areas close to the Town Centre, public transport stations and river Create an improved public realm by providing attractive areas close to the Town Centre, public transport stations and river Provide a suitable range of usages that complement, rather than compete, with the retail, commercial and residential offerings across the rest of the Town Centre Provide a suitable range of usages that complement, rather than compete, with the retail, commercial and residential offerings across the rest of the Town Centre Improve vehicle access routes to the site and reduce the effect of Station Road traffic as a barrier to connecting with the rest of the Town Centre Improve vehicle access routes to the site and reduce the effect of Station Road traffic as a barrier to connecting with the rest of the Town Centre Provide sufficient car and cycle parking for those currently using the site, as well as any additional needs resulting from the development Provide sufficient car and cycle parking for those currently using the site, as well as any additional needs resulting from the development Create easy and safe pedestrian and cycle links to the development, stations and other nearby facilities, with both the Town Centre and the rest of the Town Create easy and safe pedestrian and cycle links to the development, stations and other nearby facilities, with both the Town Centre and the rest of the Town Provide a transport interchange to promote better connections between all means of sustainable transport Provide a transport interchange to promote better connections between all means of sustainable transport Improve adjacent areas, where possible and advantageous to do so Improve adjacent areas, where possible and advantageous to do so © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley 1. Create an improved public realm by providing attractive areas close to the Town Centre, public transport stations and river a.An attractive and welcoming gateway to BS, especially arriving by train b.Downwards gradation of building height towards the river c.No more canyoning of river bank within the site (building within 5m of river) d.Bold, innovative styling (to counterbalance nearby unattractive buildings) e.An iconic building(s) with height f.‘Shared space’ to improve safety and create a relaxed feeling g.Disabled access to all areas and disabled facilities, notably RADAR toilets h.Provision of features such as benches, planting, water features, sculptures to enhance public places and throughways i.Green spaces needed preserving existing riverside habitats. Must be continuous public access to river frontage j.Remove red brick wall along east side of Anchor St. and make a more attractive area (greenery, cafés, public space, small scale retail) expanding and enhancing the existing leisure centre forecourt for pedestrians © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley 2. Provide a range of usages that complement, rather than compete with the retail, commercial & residential offerings across the rest of the TC a.Small service type shops aimed at passing trade b.Homes can be present (minimum quantity of housing required to fund the rest once ‘must haves’ were satisfied), but should be predominantly starter flats/homes for those prepared to forgo a car (to minimise the need to provide parking). Need to be of high visual quality (not just blocks/boxes) c.Office space, would need to be ‘A’ class, extent best determined by further consultation d.Local medical centre (not a main hub, see below) e.Hotel (better location than the Old River Lane site) f.No housing too near the railway line (noise) g.No significant retail presence (leave to better placed Old River Lane site) h.No Medical Centre main hub (this should be located away from Town Centre for better access) © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley 3. Improve vehicle access routes to the site & reduce the effect of Station Rd traffic as a barrier to connecting with the rest of the TC a.2-way southern car access to the site for parking from near the ‘GlowIT traffic lights’, minimising interruption to traffic flow on London Road. b.2-way car access to the site for parking from Station Rd, minimising interruption to traffic flow on the one-way system. [NB. Access to car parking for the flats off Anchor St. also needed, either to Station Rd (as now) or via the southern access to the site] a.Avoid more congestion on London Rd. between Hockerill junction and Hallingbury Rd mini-roundabout next to the railway bridge (near GlowIT). b.No north-south through-route for cars but allowing future access if needed © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley 4. Provide sufficient car & cycle parking for those currently using the site, as well as any additional needs resulting from development a.Sufficient parking to replace what would be lost by development, plus that needed because of additional site usage b.Good quality attractive car parking (not exposed steel girder construction) c.Car parking as near as possible to the train station entrance, alongside railway line d.Car parking over the railway line extending from bridge as close as possible to main station building (to maximise parking space). If possible, level access from London Rd. to be considered e.Possible one- or two-way elevated access to site/parking from raised Station Rd bridge over railway line © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley 5. Create easy and safe pedestrian & cycle links to the development, stations & nearby facilities, with both the TC & the rest of the Town a.Pedestrian/cycle throughway from white ‘dog leg’ river bridge to train station, ideally with clear sightline b.Ground level 3-4m wide pedestrian/cycle route (with verges and pocket green spaces) along tow path following the river bank from southern tip of site towards Station Rd. bridge c.Pedestrian/cycle throughway from the lower train station area (Dane St.) to London Rd/Hockerill open to the general public, not just for train passengers, possibly via car park d.Pedestrian/cycle throughway from train station to Town Centre unimpeded by Station Road, using new non-vehicle river bridge which must give access to towpath on north side of existing Station Rd. bridge. Clear sightline from train station towards St. Michael’s church © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley 6. Provide a transport interchange to promote better connections between all means of sustainable transport a.Safe and more efficient (spatially and functionally) travel interchange, close to train station entrance, ideally, all under cover b.Dedicated space for efficient taxi rank operation, separate from private car access to parking c.Cycle parking/storage as near as possible to train station entrance d.Private car drop-off/pick-up points near southern car access point to site and London Rd station exit © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley 7. Improve adjacent areas, where possible & advantageous to do so a.Flour mill operations (mainly heavy transport deliveries) to continue unhindered b.Leisure Centre at rear next to river (front forecourt is already covered by Objective 1, statement j.) c.Stonemason’s yard d.Ashpole’s e.Rose & Crown f.Remove piping and gantry over river behind Ducketts Wharf (a potential security hazard and an eyesore). Provide unobtrusive replacement g.Use any opportunity to replace the (covered) bus stop on South St where Newtown Rd and Station Rd meet and where stopped buses block a busy junction © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Business and Retail Stage 2 - Policies © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Policy Context and Background The following documents support the policies in this section: National Planning Policy Framework (Paras 18-28) National Planning Policy Framework (Paras 18-28) East Herts Local Plan Second Review 2007 East Herts Local Plan Second Review 2007 East Herts Draft District Plan (Preferred Options Consultation) January 2014 East Herts Draft District Plan (Preferred Options Consultation) January 2014 Wessex Economics Town Wide Employment Study for Bishop’s Stortford June 2013 Wessex Economics Town Wide Employment Study for Bishop’s Stortford June 2013 DTZ East Hertfordshire Employment Forecasts and Strategic Economic Development Advice November 2012 DTZ East Hertfordshire Employment Forecasts and Strategic Economic Development Advice November 2012 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of ThorleyObjectives Create new employment opportunities in both commercial and retail sectors Create new employment opportunities in both commercial and retail sectors Create a welcoming, prosperous and dynamic town centre Create a welcoming, prosperous and dynamic town centre Enhance existing employment facilities within the plan area Enhance existing employment facilities within the plan area Enhance and develop 21st century communication facilities Enhance and develop 21st century communication facilities © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Create new employment opportunities in both commercial and retail sectors BE1 - Provision of a business park Proposals for the provision of a business park will be supported. It should seek to address the following considerations: on-site parking facilities appropriate for financial services If no access to basic retail facilities, then it should provide a small amount of retail floor space as part of the development aesthetic should be in the form of a 2 storey Tees Law building in Tanners Wharf BE2 - Local retailing facilities Proposals to provide local retail facility to support large-scale developments such as Bishop’s Stortford South and the Goods Yard will be supported with mix of A1 to A5 use classes without detracting from the offer in Bishop’s Stortford town centre. BE3 - Provision of new employment land Proposals for commercial office facilities in use classes A2 or B1 that create opportunities for commercial businesses will be supported. Must not have an unacceptable impact on highways and traffic and also on residential amenity if located within or adjacent to a residential area. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Create a welcoming, prosperous and dynamic town centre BE4 – Support enhancement to the existing town centre A flexible approach to change of use will be encouraged where it contributes to a range of services aimed at supporting a strong base of quality retail shops concentrated, as far as possible, close to the main trading streets. This is to ensure the pedestrian traffic experience from the station is to continue into the High Street. A flexible approach to change of use will be encouraged where it contributes to a range of services aimed at supporting a strong base of quality retail shops concentrated, as far as possible, close to the main trading streets. This is to ensure the pedestrian traffic experience from the station is to continue into the High Street. Ensure there is a coherent plan for improving the ‘user friendliness’ of the town centre addressing such issues as, but not limited to, the following: Ensure there is a coherent plan for improving the ‘user friendliness’ of the town centre addressing such issues as, but not limited to, the following: Provision and maintenance of toilets Provision of seating and public areas to meet Appropriate lighting of public areas Landscaping and planting, including riverside Signage for important locations and buildings Communication about places of interest, facilities and topical events to visitors and tourists © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Create a welcoming, prosperous and dynamic town centre BE5 – Enhancing Town Centre access Delivery vehicle access along Potter Street and Market Street only permitted at times to be agreed and for vehicles below a certain weight. Full size buses will be discouraged from using this route where viable alternative routes or vehicles can be used. Introduce a shared space area at the junction of the High Street, North Street, Bridge Street and Market Street and extending back along Market Street and Potter Street to Apton Road. The measure would be subject to an independent analysis of impact on traffic flows but, providing the effect is not seriously detrimental, then there would be a presumption in favour of the scheme because of its environmental and community benefit. BE6 – Future Development of the Town Centre Significant development will be considered against the following criteria: All proposed developments within the town centre must show evidence of continuing need for the premises and facilities they intend to provide throughout the life of the Neighbourhood Plan using a consistent base of future projections, ideally provided by the local planning authority, EHDC. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Enhance existing employment facilities within the plan area BE7 – Encourage shop front enhancement A flexible approach to upgrading shop fronts will be encouraged where it contributes to a 21st century shopping experience A flexible approach to upgrading shop fronts will be encouraged where it contributes to a 21st century shopping experience BE8 – Signpost industrial areas Provide local signposting to industrial and retail facilities which highlight the local nature of the area Provide local signposting to industrial and retail facilities which highlight the local nature of the area © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Enhance and develop 21st century communication facilities BE9 – Confirm availability of high speed broadband in all areas Confirm broadband development alongside main developments in all areas Confirm broadband development alongside main developments in all areas BE10 – Confirm availability of high speed WiFi in all areas Confirm WiFi development alongside main developments in all areas Confirm WiFi development alongside main developments in all areas © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Topic AreaLeadDate Education & Childcare Stage 2Cathy12 May BS South/East of Manor Links Stage 3Murray/Alyson12 May Transport Stage 3Diane2 June Goods Yard Stage 3Murray23 June Content for Consultation Day posters finalised Team leads4 June Final policy text for Consultation Day to Sue/James Team leads8 June Carnival (consultation?)All20 June Consultation DayAll27 June Timetable

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Consultation and Engagement Updated Website Updated Website Revised main page Objectives Policies by subject as PDFs Separate comments page Consultation Day Consultation Day Publicity items: post-its, pens Publicity leaflet Postcards FAQ leaflets – do we need more questions? Maps of area Multiple copies of draft policies First draft Plan © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council