Updates to the Proposals

Our engagement so far

Hallam Land has run a comprehensive engagement programme to best understand the views of local stakeholders and the public, asking how this can unlock the many benefits that this site could offer for Buntingford. This engagement included:

This consultation website detailing the proposals and a feedback mechanism for the public to comment on the proposals
A public engagement event which was held on Wednesday 31st January 2024
Multiple meetings with local stakeholders – including with East Herts Council’s planning team, Buntingford Town Council, Cottered & Throcking Parish Council, Aspenden Parish Council and Edwinstree Middle School

Reviewing the feedback received from these multiple channels, Hallam Land has taken into consideration the points raised by stakeholders and the community. In particular, the need to consider existing issues within Buntingford was an important theme raised by respondents – such as affordable housing, preserving and ensuring access to green spaces, local infrastructure and local sewer capacity.

Illustrative Masterplan

Changes to the proposals

In order to meet the points raised in the feedback and unlock the many benefits this site can offer, Hallam Land is bringing forward Buntingford Parkside through three applications.

This will allow the applications to deliver the benefits outlined at the consultation and further benefits which were highlighted by the consultation feedback.

What each application will deliver is outlined below:

Residential-Led Application

Illustrative Masterplan

The residential-led application will secure the housing element of the site alongside community infrastructure such as the new park, land for a new first school, a local centre and GP surgery.

Hallam Land Management is keen to consult with key local stakeholders, groups, and the wider public about what this site could provide for the people of Buntingford.

To learn more about our proposals and give your thoughts, please go to the Have Your Say page.

Employment Application

The employment application will include the employment proposals along with a reduced area of the parkland. This has been reduced to assess whether the site can deliver an onsite waste water treatment works should this become a requirement through the application process, a key concern in the local community.

Solar Farm Application

The solar farm application will be coming forward which will seek consent for the onsite solar farm located on land to the west of the employment land application.

The residential-led application has now been submitted to East Herts District Council, with the other two applications in the process of being finalised.

As part of these applications, Buntingford Parkside will still provide all the benefits outlined in our consultation in January. We are proposing the following for this site:

Up to 600 new homes – including policy compliant levels of affordable housing to assist with East Herts’ housing shortfall
Creation of a new public Buntingford Park for the whole town, with wildlife enhancement, potential for sports pitches and a wider network of public open space throughout the site
A variety of accessible play spaces including a climbing wall as requested by children at Edwinstree Middle School
An integrated development with Buntingford, through improved connections and access to the new park for existing residents

Employment land to support new and existing businesses
Potential for an onsite doctors surgery
Improvements to local bus services ensuring amenities are accessible by sustainable transport
A new local centre & community hub to meet the community’s needs and provide space to socialise and meet with friends
A First School site
Dedicated accommodation for older residents
Land for a solar farm to deliver green energy