Issue - meetings

To recommend to Council: 

(a)That the findings of the Hertford Town Centre Urban Design Strategy Update reports, Hertford Town Centre Retail Health Check (The Retail Group), October 2019, and Bircherley Green Property Market Report (AspinalVerdi), October 2019, be noted; and

(b)The Hertford Town Centre Urban Design Strategy Update reports, Hertford Town Centre Retail Health Check (The Retail Group), October 2019, and Bircherley Green Property Market Report (AspinalVerdi), October 2019, be agreed as material considerations in respect of informing Development Management decisions taken regarding Bircherley Green, or other Hertford Town Centre sites, as appropriate; and

(c)  The Council works in partnership with Hertford Town Council, Hertfordshire County Council and other key stakeholders agree the appropriate mechanism to support the improvement of economic/retail performance and environmental considerations within Hertford Town Centre, to include reviewing the membership of the HUDS Steering Group.

The Executive considered a report on the findings of the Hertford Town Centre Urban Design Strategy (HUDS) Update, which included two reports, a Retail Healthcheck, and a Bircherley Green Property Market Report.  

Councillor Haysey said these reports followed, and updated part of the evidence behind, the 2016 HUDS report.  As there had been a delay in bringing forward the Bircherley Green development, which was not owned by the council and had been acquired by Chase in August 2019, the reports had been commissioned to ensure the council was aware of the implications of any market changes during the intervening time. The reports sought to detail current circumstances at local and national levels and to advise on appropriate uses for the new development.  While difficulties in trading were reported, the facilities in Hertford were good.  Bircherley Green was key to the Town Centre, but it was clear the Town Centre itself also had many strengths to build on. 

The evidence was that mixed use was required in any redevelopment of the Bircherley Green site, and the council looked forward to this development completing the planning application process. 

Councillor Haysey proposed an alteration to the recommendation, to include a provision to review the HUDS Steering Group as detailed below.

Councillor Stowe said he was aware of people’s concerns, as Chase was known for residential development. 

Councillor Haysey said the plans were being considered by the Steering Group, which comprised representatives from the public, retail, offices, cafes and river front businesses. 

Councillor Haysey proposed a motion to support recommendations (a) and (b) as set out in the report, and recommendation (c) as altered.  Councillor Rutland-Barsby seconded the motion, which, on being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, was declared CARRIED. 

RECOMMENDED - that (A) the findings of the Hertford Town Centre Urban Design Strategy Update reports, Hertford Town Centre Retail Health Check (The Retail Group), October 2019, and Bircherley Green Property Market Report (AspinalVerdi), October 2019, be noted;

(B)   the Hertford Town Centre Urban Design Strategy Update reports, Hertford Town Centre Retail Health Check (The Retail Group), October 2019, and Bircherley Green Property Market Report (AspinalVerdi), October 2019, be agreed as material considerations in respect of informing Development Management decisions taken regarding Bircherley Green, or other Hertford Town Centre sites, as appropriate; and

(C)   the Council works in partnership with Hertford Town Council, Hertfordshire County Council and other key stakeholders to agree the appropriate mechanism to support the improvement of economic/retail performance and environmental considerations within Hertford Town Centre, to include reviewing the membership of the HUDS Steering Group.