A DECISION on plans for a major redevelopment scheme for Jackson Square, Bishop's Stortford, has been postponed until traffic concerns have been resolved.

East Herts planning officers recommended the scheme for approval at a development control committee meeting last Wednesday as it would "enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre whilst promoting and encouraging the use of the river front".

But councillors deferred the matter until they had received further clarification on road and transport impacts.

Committee chairman Ralph Gilbert said: "There are still problems with issues raised by the Environment Agency to do with road and transport issues on which we needed further clarification from the highways authority and the county council."

If given the go-ahead, developers Mantle Estates and Scowcroft Goddard plan to demolish the existing buildings on the site and build a new Sainsbury superstore, 150 one and two-bedroom flats, a 740-space multi-storey car park and retail and restaurant units.

The scheme is one of several planning applications that have been submitted to East Herts Council to regenerate the town centre, such as Railtrack's multi-million-pound scheme to redevelop the former goods yard site.

Mr Gilbert added: "We've now got four major projects in the melting pot and I think some further thought needs to be taken over the highways implications of all these.

"Obviously something needs to be done but we have got to get it right because we won't get a second bite of the proverbial cherry."

April 30, 2003 08:30