New plans to transform the Goods Yard Site and deliver a new quarter around Bishop’s Stortford station have been submitted by Solum to East Herts District Council. The proposals will deliver new homes, a hotel, care home, shops, offices, community use space and a wide range of improvements to the station, including a new transport interchange, additional car and cycle parking, landscaping and public realm enhancements.

After an earlier planning application was refused in May 2017, Solum appointed new architects – Pollard Thomas Edwards (PTE) – and re-engaged with the Council and local stakeholder groups to develop new plans. The revised scheme has been designed to meet the aspirations of Council, local stakeholders and the community providing many additional benefits. These include:

  • The introduction of a two-way road for all traffic from London Road to the station;
  • Reduction in the heights of the buildings to align more closely to the existing context;
  • Reduction in the number of homes;
  • The introduction of proposed office space for local businesses;
  • Architectural approach to reflect Bishop’s Stortford’s heritage;
  • The introduction of a care home;
  • New cycle and pedestrian links from the station to the river and the town centre;
  • Wider station and local transport improvements.

Solum is a partnership between Network Rail and Kier Property established to reimagine the way railway land is used so that it can better serve the local community, whilst also providing much needed new homes. The Goods Yard site is a brownfield town centre site that has been identified for homes for many years.

The scheme is in line with the masterplan for the site that was endorsed last month by East Herts District Council’s Executive Committee. Matthew Serginson, Senior Development Manager with Solum, said:

“Over the last few months, we have met with many local groups and have received a positive response to our revised plans. The collaborative approach to preparing the revised plans for the development has ensured that the new proposals deliver the community and commuter benefits through a new and innovative design that reflects the heritage of the town. This is an opportunity to create a new place around the station and deliver some real benefits to Bishop’s Stortford.”

Key facts

  • 82 hectare brownfield site
  • Allocated for residential led development in local plan

Opportunity to deliver:

Station and transport enhancements

  • A new two-way link road through the site connecting Station Road / Dane Street with London Road;
  • A new transport interchange and station square outside the station
  • Two multi-storey car parks providing additional station car parking
  • New cycle parking
  • Better pedestrian and cycle links from the station to the town centre and the river
  • An improved public realm around the station

Other uses

  • A mix of uses including an 85-bed hotel, offices and retail units.
  • New homes
  • A new care home
  • A new riverside walk
  • Open space

More information about the plans is available at www.goodsyardsite.co.uk