Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Neighbourhood Plan Team Meeting 17 th February 2015 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of ThorleyAgenda Apologies for Absence Apologies for Absence Chairman’s Announcements Chairman’s Announcements Minutes of the last Meeting Minutes of the last Meeting Matters Arising Matters Arising Stage 2: Green Infrastructure Stage 2: Green Infrastructure Publicity and Engagement Publicity and Engagement Preparation for next meeting March 10 th 2015 Housing & Design/BS South/East of Manor Links Preparation for next meeting March 10 th 2015 Housing & Design/BS South/East of Manor Links © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Green Infrastructure – Objectives Protect and enhance existing green spaces Protect and enhance existing green spaces Protect and enhance wildlife and biodiversity(within green spaces) Protect and enhance wildlife and biodiversity(within green spaces) Improve connections (including access and paths) between developed areas, green spaces and the surrounding countryside Improve connections (including access and paths) between developed areas, green spaces and the surrounding countryside Encourage opportunities for activities that promote health and wellbeing, fitness and fun Encourage opportunities for activities that promote health and wellbeing, fitness and fun Maintain and enhance the flood mitigation function of green spaces Maintain and enhance the flood mitigation function of green spaces © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Policy Context and Background National Planning Policy Framework (para.73-78, 79-90, 94, ) (NB: amended from NP1) National Planning Policy Framework (para.73-78, 79-90, 94, ) (NB: amended from NP1) East Hertfordshire Local Plan Second Review 2007 (the East Hertfordshire Local Plan) East Hertfordshire Local Plan Second Review 2007 (the East Hertfordshire Local Plan) Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire 2014 Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire 2014 Local Plan and the Open Space, Sports and Recreation Supplementary Policy Document Local Plan and the Open Space, Sports and Recreation Supplementary Policy Document East Hertfordshire Council’s draft ‘Parks and Open Spaces Strategy East Hertfordshire Council’s draft ‘Parks and Open Spaces Strategy East Herts Green Infrastructure Plan 2011 East Herts Green Infrastructure Plan 2011 Everyone Matters – A Sustainable Community Strategy for East Hertfordshire Everyone Matters – A Sustainable Community Strategy for East Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2006 Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2006 The vision as set out in the Bishop’s Stortford 2020 Group document (2009/10) The vision as set out in the Bishop’s Stortford 2020 Group document (2009/10) Bishop’s Stortford Draft ‘Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan’, prepared in August 2012 – see green spaces elements. Bishop’s Stortford Draft ‘Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan’, prepared in August 2012 – see green spaces elements. Southern Country Park & Beyond – Management Plan 2013 – 2018 Southern Country Park & Beyond – Management Plan 2013 – 2018 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Objective: Enhance and protect all green spaces GIP1 Protection of green spaces within the neighbourhood GIP1 Protection of green spaces within the neighbourhood GIP2 Local Green Spaces GIP2 Local Green Spaces Southern Country Park Southern Country Park Thorley Wedge – from Thorley Hill to St James Way (Northern Park) Thorley Wedge – from Thorley Hill to St James Way (Northern Park) The Firs, between Windhill and Waytemore Road The Firs, between Windhill and Waytemore Road GIP3 Green Space Management (over 100 houses) GIP3 Green Space Management (over 100 houses) GIP4 Use ‘zoning’ to create an effective balance in green spaces for its differing uses GIP4 Use ‘zoning’ to create an effective balance in green spaces for its differing uses © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Objective: Protect and enhance wildlife and biodiversity GIP5 Protect wildlife and increase biodiversity GIP5 Protect wildlife and increase biodiversity Trees and hedgerows (as far as practicable) to be retained Trees and hedgerows (as far as practicable) to be retained Watercourses to be retained Watercourses to be retained Wildlife corridors to be protected and ancient hedgerows to be preserved where possible Wildlife corridors to be protected and ancient hedgerows to be preserved where possible Newly-created green spaces to include areas planted with native wildflowers etc Newly-created green spaces to include areas planted with native wildflowers etc Opportunities to incorporate new wildlife habitats should be sought and guidance taken from Natural England where habitats of wildlife and protected species (e.g. badgers) are affected Opportunities to incorporate new wildlife habitats should be sought and guidance taken from Natural England where habitats of wildlife and protected species (e.g. badgers) are affected © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Objective: Improve connections between developed areas, green spaces and the surrounding countryside GIP6 Enhancement of footpaths, bridleways and cycle paths GIP6 Enhancement of footpaths, bridleways and cycle paths Work with partners to ensure that existing footpaths and bridleways are well maintained and signposted and that new footpaths are created Work with partners to ensure that existing footpaths and bridleways are well maintained and signposted and that new footpaths are created The character of existing PROWs to be protected. No new obstructions to PROWs; amendments to follow DEFRA guidelines. The character of existing PROWs to be protected. No new obstructions to PROWs; amendments to follow DEFRA guidelines. Bridleways to be protected and new cycle paths created to provide safe and effective routes across the neighbourhood area. New and existing cycle tracks to be linked with the National Cycle Network. Bridleways to be protected and new cycle paths created to provide safe and effective routes across the neighbourhood area. New and existing cycle tracks to be linked with the National Cycle Network. Footpaths across the neighbourhood area to provide an accessible and safe way for all residents and visitors to enjoy the rural hinterland. Footpaths to use appropriate surfaces: tarmac in well-used routes; well- drained and overlaid with bark for more rural settings, and none for casual paths across grassy spaces. Footpaths across the neighbourhood area to provide an accessible and safe way for all residents and visitors to enjoy the rural hinterland. Footpaths to use appropriate surfaces: tarmac in well-used routes; well- drained and overlaid with bark for more rural settings, and none for casual paths across grassy spaces. Financial contributions or direct provision of new infrastructure will be sought to secure improvements to PROWs. Financial contributions or direct provision of new infrastructure will be sought to secure improvements to PROWs. Proposals for the improvement of access to public green spaces will be supported (including wheelchairs, buggies and scooters). This may need level paths through green spaces. Proposals for the improvement of access to public green spaces will be supported (including wheelchairs, buggies and scooters). This may need level paths through green spaces. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Objective: Encourage opportunities for activities that promote health and wellbeing, fitness and fun GIP7 Improve areas for leisure GIP7 Improve areas for leisure Provision of seating, preferably from natural productsProvision of seating, preferably from natural products Improved signageImproved signage Weather-protected information boardsWeather-protected information boards Guided visits from primary schoolsGuided visits from primary schools River trips (where navigable and while protecting river wildlife)River trips (where navigable and while protecting river wildlife) GIP8 Improving and expanding allotments GIP8 Improving and expanding allotments Developers to: Developers to: Provide space with appropriate facilities for new allotments or Provide space with appropriate facilities for new allotments or Contribute towards the expansion and/or improvement of existing allotments Contribute towards the expansion and/or improvement of existing allotments © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Objective: Maintain and enhance the flood mitigation function of green spaces GIP9 Flood mitigation GIP9 Flood mitigation Development only permitted in Flood Zones 2 or 3 (illustrated on the EA map reproduced in Fig X) where it has been demonstrated that it meets the requirements of the NPPF in relation to the Sequential Test and the Exception Test and a site specific flood risk assessment, or other tests specified in the Local Plan have demonstrated that the risk of flooding has been minimised and that any residual flood risk can be safely managed. Development only permitted in Flood Zones 2 or 3 (illustrated on the EA map reproduced in Fig X) where it has been demonstrated that it meets the requirements of the NPPF in relation to the Sequential Test and the Exception Test and a site specific flood risk assessment, or other tests specified in the Local Plan have demonstrated that the risk of flooding has been minimised and that any residual flood risk can be safely managed. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Stage 2 Presentation Schedule (Policy Text!) © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Topic AreaLeadDate Green InfrastructureRob17 Feb Housing & DesignMurray10 Mar BS South & Manor LinksAlyson10 Mar TransportDiane2 Apr Sport, Community & LeisureColinSat 11 Apr HealthRobSat 11 Apr Education & ChildcareCathySat 11 Apr Goods Yard & Town Centre, Areas for regeneration Murray21 Apr Business & RetailMike21 Apr

Your town – your plan Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley Focus Groups – Strawman timetable © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Topic AreaDateLeadHelper Green InfrastructureCompleteRobJames Sport13 JanuaryColinSue/Keith Community and Leisure15 JanuaryColinKeith The Goods Yard/Town Centre 5 FebruaryMurrayJames? Transport11 February DianeJames? Education & Childcare12 February CathyKeith? Housing & Design, BS South & Manor Links 19 February Murray/ Alyson Sue Business and Retail*26 February MikeNot Required Health**3 MarchRobRequired *4.00pm ** 7.30pm