East Herts District Council’s Development Management Committee has resolved to grant approval for Solum, the Network Rail and Kier Property joint venture, to redevelop the former goods yard site at Bishop’s Stortford.
The scheme will transform the area into an exciting new quarter around the town’s railway station and deliver 586 homes, including at least 117 affordable homes, along with office space for business, a hotel, new retail accommodation, a care home and an enhanced public realm. The scheme will also provide a range of station and transport enhancements including additional station car parking, better cycle and pedestrian links and a new two-way road providing better links through the site to the town centre.
Welcoming the decision, Matthew Serginson, Development Director with Solum, said:
“We are delighted to have secured approval. It will be a fantastic scheme, that opens up the riverside and provides a transformed Gateway into the town. It will deliver a lot of benefits for the community and for those that use the station. We look forward to getting started on building the scheme over the coming months.”
David Biggs, Managing Director with Network Rail Property, added:
“Approval of this scheme is an excellent outcome that will deliver significant benefits to station users and the local community.
“This scheme is yet another example of Network Rail partnering with the private sector to unlock land to deliver much needed new housing, attract new businesses and support economic growth, while generating funds to reinvest back into the railway.”
An earlier planning application was refused by the Council in May 2017. It prompted Solum to appoint new architects – Pollard Thomas Edwards (PTE) – and work up a new scheme through extensive discussions with East Herts District Council, Council Members, local groups and the community. The revised scheme delivers on the aspirations set out by all parties including:
- The delivery of an award winning architectural style that is reflective of Bishop’s Stortford’s heritage;
- The introduction of a two-way road for all traffic from London Road to the station;
- Heights of the buildings are aligned more closely to the existing context;
- A reduction in the number of homes;
- The introduction of proposed office space to support the local economy;
- The introduction of a care home and health care uses;
- New cycle and pedestrian links from the station to the river and the town centre;
- Wider station and local transport improvements.
Solum is currently on site at Walthamstow and Twickenham, delivering 194 new homes. Apartments at Walthamstow Gateway are currently available from £400,000 and apartments at Twickenham Gateway are due to launch later in 2018. Visit solum.co.uk or call 01767355291 to register your interest.
Key Facts – Bishop’s Stortford Goods Yard Scheme
- 82 hectare brownfield site
- Allocated for residential led development in local plan
Station and transport enhancements
- A new two-way link road through the site connecting Station Road / Dane Street with London Road
- A new transport interchange and station square outside the station
- Two multi-storey car parks providing additional station car parking
- New cycle parking
- Better pedestrian and cycle links from the station to the town centre and the river
- An improved public realm around the station
Other uses
- A mix of uses including an 85-bed hotel, offices and retail units.
- 586 new homes (including a minimum of 20% affordable units)
- A new care home
- A new riverside walk
- Open space
An illustrative image of the proposed station square is available here.
An illustrative image showing the proposed riverside area is available here.
More information about the scheme is available at www.goodsyardsite.co.uk
