Old River Lane
Masterplan proposal
Located only a short walk from the high-street and train station, the Old River Lane site currently offers very little benefit to the local area. Through our proposals, we will create a place that better reflects the unique historic character of the town centre and further bolster its offer to the community by delivering:
Around 173 new homes including affordable homes
Investment in local transport, including a new access road for Waitrose and improved cycle and walking routes
A new public square which could host local markets and events
Space for new activities and uses such as a cafe or shop
Our consultation
Thank you to everyone who took part in our masterplan consultation in June. Since then, we have been carefully considering your feedback and developing our proposals.
We will be holding community events over the next few weeks where we will share more information about our proposals for Old River Lane.
Tuesday 4 November, 3:30pm-7pm
Timeline
July 2024 – November 2024
Public Square consultation to hear how the community would like to use this space. We will build on this feedback moving forward
June 2025
Consultation events on Old River Lane masterplan
Masterplan Consultation Exhibition Brochure
November 2025
Community update events on Old River Lane proposals
Autumn 2025
Submission of planning application to East Hertfordshire District Council
FAQs
Where is the site?
The Old River Lane site is bounded by Old River Lane to the west, Bridge Street to the south, the Link Road to the east, and green space to the north. It is currently home to a closed office building and former car park that offer little benefit to the local area.
Located in a highly sustainable location with excellent connections to the town centre and train station, it is an ideal brownfield site to deliver new homes, including affordable homes, and has long been identified in the East Hertfordshire District Council Local Plan to provide a mixed-use development.
What are the proposals for the Old River Lane masterplan?
Our vision is to create a place that better reflects the unique historic character of the town centre and further bolster its offer to the community delivering:
- Around 173 new homes including affordable homes
- A new public square which could host local markets and events
- Investment in local cycle and walking routs to make it easier to travel more sustainably
- Space for new activities and uses such as a café or shop
- Less traffic on local roads by relocating the Waitrose access road
We would welcome your feedback on our proposals, and we will be running events where you can meet the team, view the plans, ask questions and give us your feedback.
Are you still proposing to demolish Charrington House?
Therefore, our proposal is to design and deliver a new building which would be more sustainable and have better levels of operational efficiency.
By delivering a new building we will also be able to make better use of the site, delivering more homes and affordable homes, and ensuring the overall masterplan better complements Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre.
Why are you proposing to deliver a new public square instead of the arts centre?
When will you be submitting a planning application?
We anticipate submitting a planning application in December 2025.
Ahead of this, we are holding community update events to update local people about our detailed planning application.