Harlow Conservatives lay out road map to exciting transformation of town centre
News / Tue 29th Mar 2022 at 01:56pm
WORK to regenerate Harlow town centre into an ‘urban forest’ could be underway 12 months, the local council has heard.
The town centre masterplan, that sets out regeneration plans to remodel the town centre to create new shopping, leisure, hospitality and arts, was passed by the council last week reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
And after years of delayed promises, cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Dan Swords said he anticipated work to be underway in 12 months.
The town centre planning framework, which was adopted at the council’s cabinet meeting on March 24, is the first step of a new three-part plan to drive forward the much-needed regeneration and transformation of Harlow town centre.
Step 2 scheduled for autumn 2022 will be the production of a brief to attract a development partner to work with the council while the final step in spring 2023 will be the procurement and engagement of a development partner to deliver an agreed town centre development programme.
Cllr Swords said: “This is a significant moment for the future of Harlow town centre because this evening we are passing the first of three steps on delivering on the regeneration and rebuilding of the town centre which has been promised for so long but not delivered.
“The masterplan passed tonight changes the game. It means for the first time ever we will have an element of control over the town centre. The longstanding excuse that there are many landowners and therefore we can do nothing will dissipate with the passing of this masterplan.
“But we are not just giving the planning department material consideration for applications we are setting out our bold new plans to rebuild Harlow town centre.
“We are not rehashing the same old plans and initiatives that have gone around the town centre like a bad small for the past decade, fermenting failure and lack of delivery, we are now setting out a one way road map for regeneration.”
Among the design principles in the masterplan is to transform Harlow from a “grey urban centre” to an “urban forest” with extensive tree planting.
It also has highlighted priority projects to create a northern transport hub at Terminus Street and a hub for leisure and hospitality with spaces to encourage outdoor dining and trading at Stone Cross Square.
The creation of a northern, town centre garden complementing the Water Gardens is being envisaged for West Square while the Playhouse Quarter is being designated for arts and culture.
The Broad Walk is being earmarked for retail and commercial activity with the infrastructure to support traditional outdoor markets and street trading.
Cllr Swords added: “I genuinely want you to imagine in just 12 months time we will report to the same cabinet meeting that we have a fully designed town centre with a fully mapped out programme of delivery, financed secured and a development partner on board and further construction work underway.
“In 12 months times we will be making good on our vision to make Harlow town centre one of the best in the country with new clean green development, cutting edge design and delivering a new town centre with high end shops, bars restaurants cafes and live music.”
Non believer
2022-03-29 14:24:20
I will believe him when I start see the things we actually need! He wants to flood us with even more people yet we still need the basics for the people we already have, more doctors, dentists and another swimming pool to name a few, but no mention of those yet.
Tomsk
2022-03-29 14:26:41
Didnt Robert Halfon proudly boast before the Local Election last year that Boris had agreed millions of pounds of funding for our town? Or did I just imagine it? Or is it (another) pre-election promise that has quietly been withdrawn???
Daniel Long
2022-03-29 14:52:24
I believe it, when I see it. At this present time, I don't have any faith in the Tory administration party of Harlow or the opposition Labour party of Harlow. They are both forever breaking promises and they are both all talk and no action.
Dan
2022-03-29 15:12:43
Dear Tomsk, If you watch the video, the £23.7 million the Government has already given to the council to kickstart the regeneration is covered.
Jamie Henderson
2022-03-29 15:22:29
This is best news for years. Town Centre regeneration was a major manifesto pledge. The changes already made regarding planning controls are fundamental and have never been done in the past. We had a thriving town centre throughout the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. It was one of the best in the region attracting people from far and wide. The past 20 years or more has been a period of spiralling decline and neglect. The Labour administration presided over a decade of deterioration and failure. Harlow now has, by far, the worst and most depressing centre in the region. It is s blot on the town. Other towns and cities in the UK have successfully undertaken similar projects and there is no reason why this new administration cannot do the same. It is what so many of us voted for last May. In 10 months this administration has done more in setting the framework than Labour did in 10 years. I find the approach most stimulating. Let’s hope it comes to fruition. Harlow so needs this.
Matthew 2
2022-03-29 15:55:24
Excellent, sorely needed. Look forward to regular updates along the way, as I'll be following progress very keenly indeed. Cllr Swords is correct, judge on actions not words and we've had volumes of empty words up until this point. The clock is now ticking, let's -finally- execute.
Alan Leverett
2022-03-29 15:57:57
I would ask why it takes 12 months to design and the then god knows how long to construct? Will the money be still available to construct? Are any financial partners going to wait so long for a return on thier investment? Is it another design cost that they decide not to do like Lister House and Elm Hatch sites? The existing and past admistrations have shown how good they are at wasting our money. Sounds a good story with very little detail.
Yasmin Gregory
2022-03-29 16:29:37
Step 2 scheduled for autumn 2022 will be the production of a brief to attract a development partner to work with the council while the final step in spring 2023 will be the procurement and engagement of a development partner to deliver an agreed town centre development programme. Which Development Partner? Have potential Development Partners been invited to Tender or are there companies waiting in the wings. Let's hope that the awarding of the work to the development partner is carried out in a fair and transparent process. Have some potential and previous Development Partners already been given the heads up?
Nicholas Taylor
2022-03-29 16:34:07
Whilst having a Planning Framework is all well and good, I would ask Dan that bearing in mind that Planning Permission has already been granted in some form or other for a block of flats on Kitson Way and Terminus street car parks, to turn Market House into a block of flats, increasing it by one storey, a new block behind Market House, a block of flats on the derelict site by the side of the old cinema, the former Square site and and the huge Strawberry Star site adjacent to Broadwalk, can he tell readers specifically just where they can expect developments instigated and funded by the Council's pot of money he alluded to will be started by this time next year? To date all we have seen since the Conservatives took power last May is some shrub boxes along Broadwalk and a Market Square resurface (yet again) which has already taken over 14 months to complete. Readers may not be aware that the latest bid for Government funding failed, presumably because it failed the development brief of the Government. The Conservative plan also includes the planting of trees across the town centre, that might be alright if the Council ever maintained trees across the rest of the town, which they clearly have not done for many years.
Peter Henegan
2022-03-29 17:48:27
I have very little time for the Tory govt but i have to say that the local party seem to have a lot of energy. If l were to nit pick i would expect the money boys/girls to want to be on board from the very beginning and i still dont know how such a major development can be planned without knowing the future of the hospital. Surely staff and visitors bring significant footfall to the town centre, or would the new hou siteses built on the PAH site replace that footfall. I did like the reference to a music venue. And i hope the absurdity of the empty cinema and bomb site aka the Square are taken care of
Sarah
2022-03-29 19:09:13
If the last 2+ years has taught us anything, it is that you can't trust a Conservative in a dodgy suit.
Ray
2022-03-29 19:13:32
The government don't have money to give.
Connie
2022-03-29 19:53:47
Nicholas Taylor, you should read the master plan document on the Council website. You are completely wrong on a number of points . Firstly, the plants on Broadwalk and the idiotic flowerbeds in Market Square were already contracted by the previous failed Labour administration. These are more examples of their pathetic concept of regeneration and more waste of taxpayers money. This regeneration agenda is serious and has plenty of examples to emulate and gain from through similar projects undertaken with success in other towns. It is not rocket science. There is ample funding and investment available for serious projects. Labour would never have accessed them as they had no notion of what is entailed. It would be a total disaster for Harlow to let them near power until this is executed. They have proven their ineptitude over a decade of decline.This is the most significant development in 50 years. It will reinvigorate the town, create jobs, attract investment and enable the town to raise its status and esteem. You clearly do not understand the scale envisaged as you have been a victim of Labour’s incompetence. This will be a game changer for Harlow. Its impact and benefits will be enduring.
Lewis
2022-03-29 20:50:33
Plans? Are you sure? Thought they had plans for The Square… yet it’s been flattened and still to this day nothing has been built… the Harlow community loved The Square, yet it’s been ripped away from the community, and they suffer for there bad judgment.
peter henegan
2022-03-29 21:28:57
Whilst I have little faith in the Tory govt nationally, the local conservatives have seemed to have brought a new energy to the Council. Now, I do not know how much of it is spin (refer to the comment by Nicholas Taylor) but if they achieve their aims the town centre should be improved. Hopefully the music venue will be one of the first additions. I do have a concern, expressed before, as to the future of PAH. With approaching 4000 staff does the hospital bring footfall to to the town. If it moves will that footfall be replaced by new homes on the PAH site. I do look forward to something being done with the closed cinema and to the bombsite sadly aka as The Square. I would always hope that the money boys/girls will be consulted from the beginning so that financing doesn't become an issue. We have seen the apparent success of the Kao business park area, hopefully this will be repeated in the town
Paul
2022-03-29 23:03:22
You can never trust a conservative either prior to or after an election to fulfill any of their promises, they would seem to be nothing more than self serving and self gratifying. If you believe that Harlow will benefit from them then more fool you.
Mike
2022-03-29 23:39:38
Hope they clean up the rat infested jungle by little walk, must be well over 10 years since that was knocked down
Nicholas Taylor
2022-03-30 00:12:02
Connie, I can assure you that I have read the document agreed by Councillors last week. A full response to this document from the Harlow Alliance Party will if accepted by the editor appear on these pages in a few days time. Suffice to say, most of the document, which runs to 173 is a load of waffle, much of it mirroring what the Labour administration had planned when they were in control of Harlow Council. To be brief, hundreds of trees being planted, new paving and street furniture and the hope that Sainsbury, the Fire Station, police station and bus depot can be found alternative sites so that numerous flat blocks can be built on them. With other sites such as part of the post office car park the indicative Plan would see almost 2000 more flats built in the town centre, in addition to the hundreds already given Planning Permission. Have residents been consulted about what has now been agreed ... well of course not!
Sarah
2022-03-30 08:10:06
I find it really shameful that as so many people in Harlow are going to be pushed into fuel poverty, that Harlow Conservatives think the best way to spend our council tax is on these vanity projects that will ultimately turn out to be a waste of tax payers money like the many of vanity projects before them.
Marie Compton
2022-03-30 08:33:40
Sarah, you have not got a clue. This regeneration is not financed through council tax! It will be financed through a combination of specific Government and agency grants and more significantly through institutional investors via a specific special purpose in which Harlow Council will partly own, meaning that Harlow will benefit from a long-term revenue stream from commercial rents to help fund council services and help keep council tax low. Labour has 10 years to do this and never got off the mark. This is the first genuine serious attempt to restore and revive the town centre.
Dave Morris
2022-03-30 09:15:49
Whilst I understand that there is a lot of scepticism on this subject after years of decline and many promises, particularly by the former Labour administration that led to nothing but waste. Just look at the number of closed shop premises in the northern part of the town centre and market square. It is dead. However, this plan is different. It is tackling the issue seriously and methodically. It cannot be done overnight. This plan is more than Labour did during a decade. Theo of the pudding is in the eating, but this is a serious start. Let’s judge it on its progress. We need this to succeed for the future of the town.
Kim Oconnor
2022-03-30 11:26:59
I think you should all wait till you see it. Waffle 🧇 Waffle 🧇
Marie Compton
2022-03-30 12:21:33
Kim O’Connor, waffle, waffle was the legacy of 10 years of Labour inactivity, incompetence and waste. Yes, we need to see action, but they are taking the right steps and have put in place the planning framework needed that Labour completely failed to do. Hopefully, we have a more competent and ambitious administration.
Nicholas Taylor
2022-03-30 12:27:30
Dave, the devil is in the detail and that is what is being kept from residents. The fact is, that at least two sides of Market Square will look exactly as it does now after 'regeneration'. Market House is going to be converted to flats with another storey on top. The area of 'The Rows' is I believe listed. On the clock side, these have long been flats and there is no intention as far as I am aware to demolish this side either. The Tory idea for this area is just plant trees and hope nobody in the flats above objects to any noise being created by more people using the area in the evening. The Harlow Alliance Party wants to see the whole of the Market House and Post Office premises area demolished and a new larger theatre, live music venue and exhibition centre built there creating a cultural and leisure hub on that side of the town.
Jamie Henderson
2022-03-30 13:59:41
Nicholas Taylor, how can you make such presumptions. The plans have not even be drawn up! The Cllr Dan Swords has not stated anything you allege. He has set out a roadmap. Where did you buy your somewhat opaque crystal ball. I am sure, judging by the abject state of market square, that it will be demolished. Nowhere has Cllr Swords suggested that the present buildings will be converted into flats.
Nicholas Taylor
2022-03-30 16:36:23
Jamie, the Council have already given permission for Market House to be converted to flats with an extra storey on top and in fact another block to be built behind it with a shared garden area between the two. Planning permission has also been given to develop the Kitson Way and Terminus Street car parks. They can all be found on the Councils website. If you look at the Masterplan at pages 141 to 162 it gives what is really a developers charter for future development, Cllr Sword makes it quite clear that the document is a first step which the Tories are intent to build on. If fully implemented in this way, over 3000 flats will be built in the Town Centre, leaving little if any room for new cultural and leisure facilities in the town. I don't need a crystal ball, I just read the 173 page document!
Nicholas Taylor
2022-03-30 16:50:07
Jamie, I will stand corrected on my last post which as I write has not appeared yet. Planning permission has not yet been granted to convert Market House, but if you look at the Councils Planning Portal you will find that just yesterday the latest external proposals have been published, with a view to obtaining permission in the near future.
Dan Swords
2022-03-30 17:02:45
Nich Taylor, your comments are untrue and you evidently do not know what day of the week it is.
Nicholas Taylor
2022-03-30 18:32:15
Dan, you must be getting rattled. As a Councillor I would not expect you to throw insults at a member of the public. You might feel that is Ok in the Council Chamber when directing them to opposition members and just emulating your leaders in the House of Commons but the editor has asked that contributors to these columns desist from making personal comments. So, for my and readers benefit can you tell me know parts of my posts are untrue and why. When we met some months ago after you had made similar comments you could not tell me of any.
Kim Oconnor
2022-03-30 19:19:32
Marie comptom. As I said a lot of waffle 🧇 waffle 🧇 Let's wait and see . No ones saying the town doesn't need a revamp. But we don't need it all to be high end, that a lot of people carnt afford. For instance a bug restaurant, what's that all about haha They need to keep rents low on shops to allow small businesses to thrive. Bring back our regular market, A market all ways brings revenue. But you know , his talking the talk, but will they walk the walk. So for me, it s being hyped up to match all theses unaffordable houses. And Marie, I just want to say that Labour had the plans to build a 4 lane road over our beautifully river, destroying our wildlife wetlands ect ect, conservatives could of stopped this, they kept blaming Labour, but it was this lot that approved it. We had over 6,000 signatures against this, but it's seems, that this lot don't want to hear public opinions. So if I'm sounding a little sceptical, hearing what he and his crew want to do with our town ,I'll wait till the waffleing dies down,and wait an see.
Marie Compton
2022-03-30 22:07:34
Kim O’Connor, when I moved here in the 1960’s Harlow had a fantastic range of shops. We need that again with smaller units to allow more independent stores such as they have in Bishops Stortford, Hertford, Epping and Chelmsford. Lower rents will be a key factor. Most people I know never go to the town centre. It has no attractions; on the contrary the north end is awful and mostly closed up shops. I often go to Bishop’s Stortford which is so much nicer. Harlow used to be great. We need it to be restored.
Kim Oconnor
2022-03-31 10:40:03
Marie, which is what I said. I never go to town, unless I meet a frend for coffee, I all so go else where. I've lived here all my life, my parents were first ones to come to Harlow, from London, my father helped build this town, with sir Frederick s plans. And green spaces in mind. When my parents moved in, the houses had no chimneys, so he built his, and next store. I've watched this town town turning into a concrete monstrosity over the years, and even more so now, taking more and more green spaces, and now the river stort. Labour done nothing, this lot want to concrete over everything. With a lot, a lot of just doing what they think is right for our town, and not listening to the people who live here, after all we are the ones paying for them to sit there. Yes the town needs a revamp. No they haven't listened to public opinion s. They haven't listened to people waiting years for homes, those that carnt afford to buy, 5000 on waiting list, they are building housing association which are private, and telling people there council there not. 6,000 signatures against the road across our river, two protest, they didn't want to know, passed the buck, to Labour, but could of stopped this, CONSERVATIVES PASSED THIS MONSTROSITY. I AND MANY OTHERS WILL NOT FORGIVE THEM FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. Yes we need new housing but for those who desperately need it. And now all we are getting is unaffordable housing for many more people to come here, which brings more cars on road, even more pollution, and an awful lot of destruction to our wet lands our old tress ,our wildlife. For what, not building for people in need, not thinking of environment, and certainly not thinking of public opinion. If there going to build council houses it may of gone down a bit better, with no right to buy, for future generations of this town. Conservatives plans, are and will be a greed and profit thing pure and simple. But I'll wait for now to see how many more lies they will come out with.
Marie Compton
2022-03-31 18:38:52
Kim, this is drifting off topic. The right to buy has nothing to do with councils. It is established in law and neither party has ever sought to change it as it is immensely popular and has allowed millions across the country to become home owners. Any party that sought to change it would be slaughtered in a general election, which probably explains why it hasn’t changed. I am hopeful this time, the town centre will be greatly improved. Let’s be honest it could hardly be worse. There is nowhere to go in the evening for a meal, a drink or to have music or entertainment. It is truly dire. As things stand, it is sad that people in Harlow have to go elsewhere. Even the Playhouse as not a shadow of its former self. There ate rarely any good plays or real theatre. I can remember top Shakespeare companies performing there are really good dramas. Nothing like that anymore. Sad.
Nicholas Taylor
2022-04-01 08:47:21
Marie, I suspect you do not visit the Town Centre in the evenings as I do at least twice a week. If you did you would find some parts of the town centre are very busy. Every night large numbers of people are coming and going to the two gyms, last night the tenpin bowling centre was busy with both league and casual bowlers, Nandos was literally full with customers and many people were using the bus station. The live lounge has live music on some nights, the cinema is well used and despite your feelings about the Playhouse, many events are very well attended. All on the South side of the town of course. The Northern side is another matter. Just how the Conservatives intend to re-create what is already happening on the South side is not at all clear, indeed the conversion of Market House into flats makes one wonder just where any new facilities could be built to attract new visitors.
Marie Compton
2022-04-01 10:21:53
Nicholas Taylor, there are no decent restaurants anywhere nor bars. Those on the South side close before 10 pm. They are all chains. Stortford, although smaller has far more choice as does Hertford. I still do not know where you get yourself information regarding Market House. Cllr Swords strongly refuted your suggestions ( see above). He should be in a better position to opine as he is the Councillor responsible for this project.
Kim Oconnor
2022-04-01 10:43:28
Why Maria, why can they not build council houses with no right to buy. There's people out there desperate for homes, families , there's no reason at all., I was told in fase 1, there's 99 council houses being built, and apparently hundreds more in fase 2, 3. Now I've asked this man on twitter if the next hundreds,, as he,, said are council, NO REPLY. My argument is, if 99 council are indeed council, this is a drop in the ocean, compared to the thousands of unaffordable housing. And the flats , apartments, what every you want to call them, are the wrong place to build them in town centre, no infrastructure, they learn nothing, this town will turn into a polluted mess of cars , you carnt place hundreds of people in town, with no infrastructure. The traffic is a night mare now.
Marie Compton
2022-04-01 16:11:36
Kim, the right to buy is enshrined in law. Individual councils may not stop such rights. If they are warden serviced ( for aged and disabled) these can escape the right to buy, but not normal houses or flats. As I mentioned, no party will change this law as it is too popular.
Nicholas Taylor
2022-04-01 19:57:32
Marie, Well you comments are a matter of opinion, but obviously all those people in the restaurants at the Water Gardens don't agree with you. I failed to mention the noodle bar and the snooker club in my earlier email, adding to what is already available in the Town Centre. The application to convert Market House dates from 29 March 2021, before Cllr Swords was elected. It is a shame that he does not appear to know what is going on in the Town Centre, despite leading on regeneration. New documents relating to the application were submitted earlier this week. If you go onto the Councils website, go into the Planning Portal and type in Market House and you will see all the documents and I might add those of the new block to be built immediately behind it.
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