Churchgate development information and thoughts.

nigelapp

All,

It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the Simons information days that have been held in Hitchin over the last week about the proposed Churchgate development.

To kick things off here is a link to a blog with some interesting thoughts on the development

http://ionhitchin.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/views-on-simons-latest-plans-for-churchgate-redevelopment

In addition here are some additional dates for items relating to the development.

Tue 8th January 2013 - Hitchin Committee Agenda item # 6 - 7.30pm - Benslow Music Trust, Benslow lane, Hitchin

Wed 9th January 2013 - CLF Meeting - 7.30pm - Church House Churchyard Hitchin

Wed Thurs and Fri 16-18th January - Exhibition of the Hammersmatch refurbishment ideas - Former pebble shop 1 churchyard hitchin

nigelapp

For those who were unable to go to the Simons Information Day please go to http://www.simonschurchgate.co.uk/ to view the proposals.

On 31st January all the North Herts District Councillors (not just the Hitchin councillors) will have to vote on whether to give more time to Simons to allow them to put together a planning application for their proposed development of Churchgate, Hitchin Market and St Mary's Square.

If Simons fail to get this extension, they will have no time to put in an application by the March 2013 deadline in their current contract with the council, and that will be the end of the very prolonged arrangement between Simons and NHDC.

I hope that the vote goes against them, partly because I think their scheme is inappropriate, but also because I think NHDC will make a big financial mistake in continuing to consider their scheme. Simons currently have no financial backer for this scheme (very possibly because the sort of scheme they propose is already outmoded in the current retail trade) and seem to be hoping for huge financial support from NHDC.

If you want further useful information about all this, the other HItchin Forum has up-to-date posts on all the issues http://www.hitchinforum.org.uk/.

I wholeheartedly recommend that people contact their local councillors and express their views on whether or not they want NHDC to give Simons an extension, or whether they would like to see other proposals discussed for improving our town centre - Simons is not the only show in town - but prolonging their contract would bring at least another 18 months of blight.

Hitchin councillors, at a Hitchin committee meeting on 8th January, unanimously expressed their view that, on the information they had, Simons shouls NOT be given an extension. But if you want to support them as they seek to persuade councillors from other areas of NHDC of their view, you need to contact them. Their details are available at http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/aksnherts/users/public/admin/main.pl?op=ListCurrentMembers

We have an online petition to North Hertfordshire District Council

This petition has been produced by Hitchin Forum to prevent the continuation of the Simons contract to redevelop the Churchgate Area to try and influence District Councillors to vote against an 18 month extension to their 3 yr contract (Development Agreement).

Launched around 1.30pm on Wednesday at the time of writing it already has over 1,000 signatures but we need much more. Please help to support our Hitchin Councillors who have already expressed a wish to stop this unwanted development and add your name on the petition by going to:

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/north-herts-district-council-do-not-extend-the-contract-with-simons-to-redevelop-churchgate

You will need to register first

You will also see several comments from others, please feel free to add your own

YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED.

mikeclarke

Back ground information and recent developments in the debate about this scheme can be found on www.hitchinforum.org.uk. The main issue at present is how unrealistic, untimely and potentially damaging to Hitchin the extension of the Simons scheme will be. We also have information on the recently revealed Hammersmatch proposals - much smaller and more acceptable. The petition provides the opportunity to add your comments to a growing testimony of the aspects of Hitchin which people treasure, but it also shows clearly to NHDC how many oppose the contract extension. Do sign up.
Mike Clarke (Chair Hitchin Forum)

Welcome to the Hitchin Forum!

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