Issue - meetings

Minute 143 refers.

RESOLVED – that (A) the town centre boundary as defined by the Chase and Partners Retail and Town Centres Study 2008 and attached to the report submitted be agreed;

(B)      the boundary as described be adopted by East Herts Council for the purposes of informing the East Herts District Plan and be given the status of material consideration in any planning matters relating to the area described; and 

(C)      in describing the town boundary, emphasis is given to sustainable mixed uses, retail led / services activities in line with the Central Government guidance as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

(see also Minute 230 above)

The Leader of the Council submitted a report seeking support for agreement of a Town Centre Boundary for Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre as one of the mechanisms that would help direct improvement in the town in the short, medium and longer term.

Councillor G Jones referred to the original Chase and Partners Study as relating to retail uses only and sought clarification on the implications of the proposals for non-retail uses.  He also asked how this related to the ongoing District Plan process.  Finally, he expressed concern that these boundaries, which had been defined for retail purposes, could be used for other purposes, such as the Conservation Area.

The Leader responded by stating that adoption of the proposals would assist as part of the evidence base supporting the evolving District Plan.  He referred to the many discussions of the 20 20 group.

The Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport added that adoption of these proposals would provide the flexibility for the principles of sustainable mixed uses, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework.  He also confirmed that the Conservation Area had a separate boundary.

The Executive supported the proposals as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the town centre boundary as defined by the Chase and Partners Retail and Town Centres Study 2008 and attached to this report be agreed;

(B)      the boundary as described be adopted by East Herts Council for the purposes of informing the East Herts District Plan and be given the status of material consideration in any planning matters relating to the area described; and 

(C)      in describing the town boundary, emphasis is given to sustainable mixed uses, retail led / services activities in line with the Central Government guidance as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.