Highlights of the new Bircherley Green plans as submitted to EHC 21st February 2020 Terry Betts

Post comments on the Civic Society blog and send to East Herts Council by March 9thFull details of a planning application from Chase New Homes in relation to Bircherley Green were published on 17th February 2020

The description of the proposed development reads:, “Mixed use re-development comprising partial demolition of existing buildings and replacement with up to 3479.40 square metres of commercial floorspace (Use Classes A1-A4, B1, D1 & D2), an 86-bed hotel (Use Class C1), up to 100 residential apartments (use class C3), alterations to an existing car park, new bus station facilities and associated works and improvements.”

The developer, Chase New Homes Ltd, previously confirmed that the proposals build in flexibility to make development as attractive as possible to retail, restaurant and other uses. In addition to Class A uses (shops and retail outlets, food and drink, drinking establishments, hot food and take away), permission is being sought for “business” use (Class B1) of the buildings, Class D1 (public services) use which includes medical and health services premises and Class D2 (use of premises for entertainment and leisure purposes).

One of the elevation drawings for Block B has the word “Surgery" prominently displayed above what might otherwise be thought to be shop fronts. Also, there is an area of rooms on the ground floor plan of "Block B” annotated “General medical services”. Local community magazine (Axis) has recently reported that “The NHS still has interest in the Bircherley Green site but timing is key and they would need to secure premises by 2022.”

Chase New Homes have stated that the proposals include the potential for recording / rehearsal studios. The ground floor plans identify a 270 square metre unit annotated “Recording studio”.

The proposed scheme features a new “mall” running between two buildings (A and B) with flats above. A new community square has been introduced to the middle of the development. The bus station and car park would be enhanced and a new hotel constructed on the corner of Railway Street and Bircherley Street.

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The Hertfordshire Mercury has previously reported “the hotel chain Premier Inn says that it remains committed to the scheme and still wants to bring a new hotel and restaurant to Hertford.” “Rather than a Beefeater, the restaurant that often accompanies Premier Inn hotels … there are plans for steakhouse “Bar + Block” to open alongside the 86 bedroom-hotel.” (There is such a restaurant at Kings Cross, London.)

Chase New Homes have agreed to meet with the Design Review Panel (an independent group of Hertfordshire architects and design professionals) towards the end of March.

Pre – application advice from Council Planning Officers quoted by the applicant reads: “The architectural aesthetic could work well in relation to the surrounding architecture but the success will be in securing high quality detailing. The consistent shop signage, the deep window reveals, the arch head windows, the small pane glazing, the vertical girder detailing and the level and pattern of fenestration are particularly liked. The cladding around the car park is an improvement upon the approved scheme. The building height on the neighbouring listed buildings needs careful consideration. Painted signage is welcome. The changes to the hotel design are beneficial to the scheme as a whole.”

The general deadline for comment on the application, indicated on the Council web site, is 9th March 2020.

Chase New Homes are expecting the Development Management Committee of East Herts Council to determine the application on 18th May 2020.

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