Stopford Park developer to bring forward Hertfordshire regeneration project

Cityheart, the developer behind the Stopford Park regeneration of former Stockport College buildings and partner on the Interchange apartment scheme, is taking its expertise down south to bring forward a mixed-use town centre redevelopment in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire.

The announcement follows recent recognition for Cityheart and partners’ work in Stockport. The Interchange apartment scheme, delivered by Cityheart and Rise Homes alongside Stockport Council, TfGM and GMCA’s new transport interchange, has been shortlisted in the Build To Rent category at the North West Insider Residential Awards for The Interchange. The developer is also nominated for Urban and City Living Developer of the Year at the awards for its work across the North West, including at Stopford Park, the proposed 442-home mixed-use redevelopment of former Stockport College buildings.

The housing, regeneration and placemaking development specialist has entered into a development agreement with East Herts District Council to create a detailed masterplan for the Old River Lane site in Bishop’s Stortford, which is owned by the local authority. The vision is to create a thriving residential and commercial community, comprising new homes and offices.  Retail and workspace units will be situated on the ground floors of the residential blocks, and the site will benefit from car parking spaces to service residents and office workers.

Following previous advice received from the Local Planning Authority, Cityheart is working closely with design partners to ensure the size, scale and materiality of the proposed development will be in keeping with its overall surroundings, including the Waytemore Castle Mound adjacent to the site.

Andrew Sanderson, development director at Cityheart, commented:

“Our multi-faceted redevelopment of the Old River Lane site will breathe new life into the centre of Bishop’s Stortford. Working together with our development partners, East Herts District Council, we are collaborating with a highly experienced project team to make the most of this key site, developing an exceptional place to live and work amid historic surroundings. We look forward to finalising our masterplan and getting spades in the ground.”

Cityheart will be working with an experienced design and build team to deliver the scheme, including Kier Construction, main contractor; Howells, architect; MM Management, project manager and quantity surveyor; Geraint John Planning; Caneparo, transport Engineer; Curtins, civil and structural engineers and flood consultants; Ridge, M&E consultants; DEP, landscape architects; Cotswold Archaeology, heritage consultants.

East Herts District Council will be funding an extensive new public realm south of the site to anchor the overall scheme. The public realm works would be undertaken by Cityheart on behalf of East Herts District Council and delivered at the same time as the rest of the development works to minimise disruption.

Ben Crystall, Leader of East Herts Council and Chair of the Old River Lane Delivery Board added:

“With the signing of the Development Agreement the Old River Lane project has taken a significant step forward. We are really looking forward to working with Cityheart in the months ahead to ensure Bishop’s Stortford continues to be a destination town centre. Now the agreement is signed it also confirms that Water Lane Hall is outside of the development and no longer needs to be demolished which I know many residents will be pleased about”