St James’ Park is the new community that is currently under construction on the southern fringes of Bishop’s Stortford. The creation of a Local Centre has been part of the plans since inception although it was only last year when more details started to emerge, including plans for a ‘drive thru’ McDonalds restaurant. The initial proposals created quite a stir locally and following discussions with East Herts District Council and limited community engagement, new revised proposals have recently been brought forward. As well as some design and layout changes the ‘drive thru’ element of the McDonalds restaurant has been removed. We should add that the Local Centre also includes the provision of a new community centre, a Co-op food store, gym and day nursery.
The revised proposals will be subject to an on-line public consultation on the developers project website between 10th and 20th February:
https://stjamesparklocalcentre.consultationonline.co.uk/
There will also be an in-person public exhibition on Tuesday, 10 February at the Gathering Room at the Barnabus Centre, St James’ Church, Thorley, CM23 4BE between 3.30pm and 7.30pm. Please note that this is a developer led consultation and that the actual planning application for the Local Centre will be subject to a separate Reserved Matters Planning Application later this year.
The BSDFA has been represented on the St James’ Park Community Forum for several years giving feedback on infrastructure plans relating to walking and cycling. Putting other general issues aside, our main concern is that McDonalds restaurant will be sited on the southern fringe of the town rather than in the centre. We are concerned that this location has the potential to create problems in relation to on-line delivery orders. The Local Centre has the potential to become the focus for delivery drivers who will be tempted to take the most direct route across St James’ Park to reach their destinations. This could involve e-bikes using existing public footpaths and newly created shared walking / cycling facilities placing other path users in danger.
We have already raised the matter with a McDonalds representative at a recent Community Forum but they brushed this concern aside saying that it was a matter for the franchisee and/or the delivery company. We don’t agree and will continue to press for answers.
