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Churchgate Planning Brief update
Background
The revised Churchgate Area Planning Brief is one of the key projects to come forward from the adopted Hitchin Town Centre Strategy. The Council being keen to advance proposals for the Churchgate development area in Hitchin town centre, appointed John Thompson & Partners with DTZ Pieda as its consultants for the project in February 2005.
The Churchgate development area comprises the existing Churchgate Shopping area plus service areas, the market area and land between the River Hiz and St Mary’s Square car park and the Biggin Lane car park. It also includes the opportunity for environmental enhancement at St Mary’s Square Car Park, Portmill Lane West and East car parks including service yards to the retail units to the rear of Bancroft and the pedestrian linkages to Hermitage Road and Bancroft. (Click on Plan below)
The Council required the consultants to produce a Planning Brief for the site that would include a set of guiding principles for the future development and enhancement of the area, as well as recommending at least two development options for the site. DTZ Pieda provided advice and input on the viability aspects of development options for the site.
Community Involvement and Developing Options
A key aspect of the project was the involvement of and communication with the local businesses, organisations, market traders and the community. John Thompson & Partners are well known for their community participation and communication skills, as well as their urban design and masterplanning expertise.
The Council together with John Thompson & Partners held a Community Planning Weekend on Friday 4th March and Saturday 5th March 2005 at St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin. Some 250 people attended the event to provide their views on the area and to work together with local organisations, businesses and residents on developing a vision for the site and its relationship with the rest of Hitchin town centre.
The consultant’s Reported Back on the outcomes from the Community Planning Weekend to some 200 members of the local community on 6th April 2005 at St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin. As part of the presentation the consultants suggested two preliminary development options for the Churchgate Development area and a possible longer term vision for including development on the St. Mary’s Square and Portmill Lane car parks. These suggestions were based on ideas worked up from the Community Planning Weekend.
A Hitchin Visioning meeting was held on 4 May to afford the local community and key stakeholders the opportunity to express their views on the preliminary development options evolving from the Community Planning process. Around 70 people attended this meeting.
Details of the Community Planning Process are outlined in the consultants Final Report, see link below.
Final Options and Adoption of the Revised Planning Brief:
Following comments received and further viability assessment, two final options were developed for inclusion in a Revised Draft Planning Brief for public consultation in the summer 2005.
- Option A – Redevelopment of the Churchgate Centre, and
- Option B – Refurbishment of the Churchgate Centre.
The Options differed in terms of the future of the Churchgate Shopping Centre but were broadly the same for the Hitchin Market Area, Biggin Lane car park, St Mary’s Square car park and Portmill Lane east and west car parks.
Following public consultation the Council agreed that Option A – Redevelopment of Churchgate be taken forward as the preferred option for the Revised Churchgate Development Area Planning Brief.
The Revised Churchgate Development Area Planning Brief was adopted by Full Council on 3 November 2005 as the Council’s Statement of Policy. See link below for the adopted Planning Brief.
The Next Steps:
The next stage following the adoption of the Planning Brief is the asset management aspects of the scheme between the Council and the head lessee of the Churchgate building (i.e. Hammersmatch) and any other third party interests. This includes giving careful consideration to promoting and allowing for a holistic and sensitive development of the site in accordance with the requirements of the adopted Planning Brief.
Part of this process will include the preparation of an Implementation Plan. This would be in partnership with the Council and the potential developer for the site, be it Hammersmatch or another party. The Council would expect to see the following suggested key elements addressed in an Implementation Plan:
- Planning application requirements
- The Hitchin Market
- Car Parking arrangements
- Churchgate Retailers
- Phasing of the Development Scheme
- Third Party Involvement
It is in the Council’s interest to ensure that the most appropriate form of development is achieved for the site that will contribute to the special historic character and future viability of the town centre as a whole and is developed with as minimal disruption as possible. It has been agreed that Council Officers will update Members of the Hitchin Committee on any development proposals for the site.
For further information on the Churchgate Development Area Planning Brief contact:
Louise Symes in Planning Policy & Projects on Tel: 01462 474359
Or via Email: service@north-herts.gov.uk
Site Plan for Churchgate Area Project
Churchgate_Planning_Brief_addendum
