‘Green light’ for Street Scene works
Illustration of proposed Street Scene Works in Leys Avenue
North Herts District Council’s Planning Committee have approved the Street Scene proposals - the first stage of the Heritage Foundation’s Town Centre Re-development plans.
Work on the Streetscene is anticipated to start in 2009, commencing at the far end of Eastcheap near the Town Hall, and progressing in stages down to Leys Avenue and through to Norton Way South. A detailed programme will be issued nearer the time.
Stuart Kenny, the Foundation’s Director General said: “ I am pleased we secured planning permission for our Street Scene works, albeit with a raft of conditions, some curious, some disappointing in that they appear to reflect a lack of understanding of documentation we have submitted over a lengthy period of time.
“ If these conditions can be discharged in a manner which retains the integrity of the scheme and demonstrably helps create a much improved physical environment for town centre businesses, then the scheme can be finalised, ready for implementation.”
Work has already begun to remove part of the Arena canopy along Eastcheap ahead of time, in preparation for the main Streetscene works.The second phase of the development - The Wynd - has also been approved by the District Council’s Planning Committee. The design work for the third phase - The Arena - is progressing.