Enjoy guided tours of Hertford's town centre at 2.00 pm, 2.45 pm and 3.30 pm or join in an extended riverside walk at 2.15 pm.
Meeting Point is Hertford Tourist Information Centre in Market Place, Hertford.
Friday 4 September 2009
Heritage Open Day - Sunday 13th September
Meeting Point is Hertford Tourist Information Centre in Market Place, Hertford.
Friday 13 March 2009
Tesco Planning Application - Update
The Tesco application was refused permission in September 2008 and by the end of the year an appeal had been lodged. The Society has been granted Rule 6 status at the public inquiry expected to take place towards the middle of the current year; this will enable us to cross-examine Tesco’s witnesses, but exposes us to cross-examination in return. We plan to challenge: on retail matters need, impact on town-centre trade and maintenance of current levels of ‘linked trips’; on traffic the appellant’s forecast of nil detriment and the assumptions leading to that; on alternative modes of transport not only the failure to improve provision but the likelihood of damaging what already exists; on architectural matters the enormity of the scheme and damage to the Conservation Area; and on ecology the loss of openness of the current site and the planting which has matured over the last twenty years.
Sainsbury Planning Application - Update
Last summer Sainsbury withdrew their original application for a supermarket on the redundant part of McMullen’s brewery when planning officers recommended refusal and then resubmitted an amended scheme with a slightly smaller store. In January, ignoring the officers’ recommendation for refusal, the Development Control Committee surprisingly approved the amended scheme, despite being warned that there are no practical solutions to address the expected increased traffic congestion at Old Cross and in Cowbridge.
Since then the conditions to be attached to the approval have been agreed with the applicant and approved by the Committee. But that is not the end of the matter. Because the floor area of the development is above a specified threshold and represents a departure from the approved Local Plan, the decision has been referred to the Department of Communities and Local Government through the Government Office, East of England. The Society has supported a letter from local residents seeking an extension of the period for consideration so that more detailed evidence can be submitted challenging the planning decision. At the time of writing the DC&LG has not called in the application for decision by the Secretary of State nor issued a direction for deferral of the decision pending further examination.
If the scheme still goes ahead there could be significant benefits to the cultural life of the town if realistic leasing arrangements can be agreed for the refurbished listed buildings on the site. However, it remains the Society’s view that this last remaining large site in the town-centre could have been returned to a more rewarding use than turning most of it into a supermarket car park.
Since then the conditions to be attached to the approval have been agreed with the applicant and approved by the Committee. But that is not the end of the matter. Because the floor area of the development is above a specified threshold and represents a departure from the approved Local Plan, the decision has been referred to the Department of Communities and Local Government through the Government Office, East of England. The Society has supported a letter from local residents seeking an extension of the period for consideration so that more detailed evidence can be submitted challenging the planning decision. At the time of writing the DC&LG has not called in the application for decision by the Secretary of State nor issued a direction for deferral of the decision pending further examination.
If the scheme still goes ahead there could be significant benefits to the cultural life of the town if realistic leasing arrangements can be agreed for the refurbished listed buildings on the site. However, it remains the Society’s view that this last remaining large site in the town-centre could have been returned to a more rewarding use than turning most of it into a supermarket car park.
Saturday 7 February 2009
Tesco Store Redevelopment
Following the Council’s refusal of Tesco’s application for planning permission, an appeal has been made to the Secretary of state in respect of this site. The appeal is to be determined by the Public Inquiry procedure.
If you have not already made your views known, please write in triplicate to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/01 Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN quoting ref: APP/J1915/A/08/2089930/NWF or visit
If you have not already made your views known, please write in triplicate to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/01 Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN quoting ref: APP/J1915/A/08/2089930/NWF or visit
Planning Application - Welwyn Road
A new application has been submitted by David Lloyd / Next Generation Clubs for permission to build Sports Facilities on Welwyn Road, Hertford (3/08/1465).
Hertford Civic Society objected to the original application for sports facilities on this site referred to then as Archer’s Spring. We objected at length at the subsequent planning enquiry and reiterated our objection when the renewal of the application was last proposed. We objected on the basis of lack of need, location in the Green Belt, likely excessive traffic generation, the size and scale of the building and car park.
Since then more local facilities have been made available including a David Lloyd centre in Hatfield, a Canons in Hertford and new management at Hartham, a local authority facility which is underused.
We believe that the current application should be rejected because it fails to address these problems or the need for remedial works, poor stewardship of the site, sustainability and offers no better opportunities for local people than before.
Hertford Civic Society objected to the original application for sports facilities on this site referred to then as Archer’s Spring. We objected at length at the subsequent planning enquiry and reiterated our objection when the renewal of the application was last proposed. We objected on the basis of lack of need, location in the Green Belt, likely excessive traffic generation, the size and scale of the building and car park.
Since then more local facilities have been made available including a David Lloyd centre in Hatfield, a Canons in Hertford and new management at Hartham, a local authority facility which is underused.
We believe that the current application should be rejected because it fails to address these problems or the need for remedial works, poor stewardship of the site, sustainability and offers no better opportunities for local people than before.
Saturday 10 January 2009
Hertford through the Mid 20th Century
Peter Ruffles will be giving his verbal record of the changing streetscapes of Hertford during four talks on 21st and 28th January and 18th and 25th February. These will be illustrated by a selection from his immense collection of slides recording the changing life of the Town.
The talks will be given in the hall behind Saint Andrew’s church commencing at 7.30 pm. A season ticket of £10 from Peter or a charge of £2.50 at the door. Proceeds will go towards the Church Hall fund.
The talks will be given in the hall behind Saint Andrew’s church commencing at 7.30 pm. A season ticket of £10 from Peter or a charge of £2.50 at the door. Proceeds will go towards the Church Hall fund.
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