© Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan Team for Silverleys and Meads Wards 5 th November 2013

The Town Meads and Green Belt Stage 1 Presentation © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council2

What does the NPPF say? Access to open spaces for sport and recreation, leading to improved health and well-being Access to open spaces for sport and recreation, leading to improved health and well-being Planning policies to enhance and protect access and rights of way Planning policies to enhance and protect access and rights of way Local community to identify Local Green Spaces via Neighbourhood Plans Local community to identify Local Green Spaces via Neighbourhood Plans Planning policies to plan for biodiversity and map local ecological networks Planning policies to plan for biodiversity and map local ecological networks Green Belt boundaries only to be altered in exceptional circumstances, through preparation or review of Local Plan Green Belt boundaries only to be altered in exceptional circumstances, through preparation or review of Local Plan Inappropriate development of the Green Belt should not be approved except in very special circumstances Inappropriate development of the Green Belt should not be approved except in very special circumstances Local Plans should set out strategy for conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment Local Plans should set out strategy for conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

What do people want? (2020 Vision) A wide choice of activities for all ages A wide choice of activities for all ages Ease of access to all activities Ease of access to all activities A riverside that is easy to access and well-used to add value to the town A riverside that is easy to access and well-used to add value to the town Parks and open spaces that offer recreation and enjoyment, welcome wildlife and protect our heritage Parks and open spaces that offer recreation and enjoyment, welcome wildlife and protect our heritage © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Issues Balance between leisure usage and wildlife protection Balance between leisure usage and wildlife protection Balance between ornamental areas, play areas and those for fitness and health Balance between ornamental areas, play areas and those for fitness and health Improve access to the riverside Improve access to the riverside Improve facilities in Castle Gardens but retain traditional style Improve facilities in Castle Gardens but retain traditional style Flood risk Flood risk Ownership – BSTC and EHDC – need agreed action Ownership – BSTC and EHDC – need agreed action Cycle paths and footpaths to provide safe route from north of town to town centre and station Cycle paths and footpaths to provide safe route from north of town to town centre and station Castle and Mound are unique historical monuments Castle and Mound are unique historical monuments Green Belt north of A120 at risk of development as extension of ASRs Green Belt north of A120 at risk of development as extension of ASRs © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Opportunities Increase usage of all areas for all age groups, improve happiness, health and fitness of residents Increase usage of all areas for all age groups, improve happiness, health and fitness of residents Create better access to wildlife on riverside Create better access to wildlife on riverside Attract more tourists to the town Attract more tourists to the town Provide cycle and pedestrian through routes away from busy roads Provide cycle and pedestrian through routes away from busy roads Protect Green Belt in perpetuity Protect Green Belt in perpetuity © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Suggested Policy Areas BSTC and EHDC to work together to create new attractive areas within Castle Gardens and Sworder’s Field BSTC and EHDC to work together to create new attractive areas within Castle Gardens and Sworder’s Field Ornamental Garden areas Ornamental Garden areas Health and fitness activity areas Health and fitness activity areas Play areas Play areas To include new paddling pool, multi-use tennis courts, skate park and café To include new paddling pool, multi-use tennis courts, skate park and café BSTC to work with EHDC, the EA and developers to improve access to riverside and improve biodiversity in The Town Meads (to become a Local Green Space) BSTC to work with EHDC, the EA and developers to improve access to riverside and improve biodiversity in The Town Meads (to become a Local Green Space) Provide safe and effective cycle and pedestrian paths through the town from ASRs and Rye St to Sworder’s Field, town centre and station Provide safe and effective cycle and pedestrian paths through the town from ASRs and Rye St to Sworder’s Field, town centre and station BSTC and EHDC to work with Herts Archaeology Unit to conserve Castle Mound, improve access, arrange professional digs in relevant areas near the mound and display any finding in Rhodes Museum BSTC and EHDC to work with Herts Archaeology Unit to conserve Castle Mound, improve access, arrange professional digs in relevant areas near the mound and display any finding in Rhodes Museum Protect Green Belt around the town Protect Green Belt around the town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Branding Purpose - a messaging hierarchy Purpose - a messaging hierarchy Attention grabbers (pens etc) - <5 seconds = 1-2 messages Attention grabbers (pens etc) - <5 seconds = 1-2 messages Grab and make people aware that there is a plan which may be of interest, and that they can find out more Grab and make people aware that there is a plan which may be of interest, and that they can find out more Publicity material (posters, leaflets etc) <5 seconds unless grabbed Publicity material (posters, leaflets etc) <5 seconds unless grabbed Grab with the messages from the attention grabbers Grab with the messages from the attention grabbers then add in the necessary detail to encourage them to take action then add in the necessary detail to encourage them to take action The Plan itself (a document) The Plan itself (a document) Conveys all messages and the detail Conveys all messages and the detail Branding Elements Branding Elements Style Style Number and choice of messages Number and choice of messages Marketing Kinetics recommended message priority Marketing Kinetics recommended message priority 1. stortfordplan.org (stronger than.info) stortfordplan.org 2. Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan 3. Your town - your plan (stronger than Your place – your plan) 4. Silverleys and Meads Wards © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Meeting Schedule as agreed 5 November 5 November Meads Stage 1 (was stage 1 & 2) Meads Stage 1 (was stage 1 & 2) 26 November 26 November Town Centre Stage 2 Town Centre Stage 2 Feedback from engagement Feedback from engagement 17 December 17 December Meads Stage 2 (was ‘reserve’) Meads Stage 2 (was ‘reserve’) 7 January January 2014 Approve consultation copy, commence formal consultation Approve consultation copy, commence formal consultation Early April TBD Early April TBD Approve final copy for Council Approve final copy for Council 28 th April TBD 28 th April TBD Council approval of examination copy Council approval of examination copy © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Based on: October 2014 referendum target, 3 weekly meeting frequency