The Castle Park project within the Council’s capital
programme is delivering improvements to the areas known as
Sworder’s Field and Waytemore Castle Gardens. The partnership
work with stakeholders including Bishop’s Stortford Council
and the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) means that the
project has been funded through a variety of organisations
including East Herts District Council. Additional funds have been
raised after cost increases relating to the Pandemic and Brexit
following significant increase in materials and construction costs
and then an unforeseen subsidence issue. A solution was agreed to
secure the funding gap by selling some
assets (Community centres) to one of the partner organisations,
Bishop’s Stortford Town Council as part of an Options
Agreement. The last of three community centres is now due to be
sold. Capital receipts are required from this sale to secure the
final stages of the project after further additional costs relating
to unexpected archaeology, deterioration of a repurposed building
and environmental pressures.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: For Determination
Wards affected: Bishop's Stortford North; Bishop's Stortford Parsonage;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 07/07/2023
Decision due: 5 Sep 2023 by Executive
Lead member: Executive Member for Financial Sustainability
Lead director: Head of Operations
Contact: Ian Sharratt, The Leisure and Parks Development Manager Email: ian.sharratt@eastherts.gov.uk.