Kier Construction linked to £70m plans to build on Bishop’s Stortford Causeway site

Cityheart’s £70m scheme for Bishop’s Stortord’s Causeway site is set to be built by Kier Construction.

According to Construction Enquirer, the infrastructure group - with more than 400 live projects across the UK - has been lined up along with architect Howells and mechanical and electrical services consultant Ridge to realise the Old River Lane project.

Earlier this month, Cityheart signed a development agreement with East Herts Council (EHC) entering into “a contractual relationship… to begin work on developing the Old River Lane site, specifically focused on delivering residential, commercial and retail space as well as a public square.”

The regeneration specialist’s first planning application for the site was submitted in December 2022 and then withdrawn last year, along with plans to demolish the United Reformed Church Hall in Water Lane and Charringtons House, after a wave of criticism.

Cityheart wanted outline planning permission for new shops, restaurants, offices and up to 225 homes, including 75 extra care units, on the former Causeway car park, along with new public spaces and paths.

Proposals for a £15.5m stand-alone, cinema-led arts centre on the former Charringtons House car park were paused by EHC after the Conservatives lost control of the authority in the May 2023 local elections. The council’s joint Green Party and Liberal Democrat administration has tabled a £1.5m public square and pavilion as an alternative.

According to Construction Enquirer, a new application is expected to include 145 homes alongside nearly 40,000 sq ft of retail and office space on the four-acre site.

It says: “A new internal road, accessed from Link Road to the west of the site, will provide a new access point into the existing Waitrose car park. The intention is to alleviate traffic flow on Old River Lane and provide access for residents of the new development.”

Andrew Sanderson, development director at Cityheart, told Construction Enquirer: “Our multi-faceted redevelopment of the Old River Lane site will breathe new life into the centre of Bishop’s Stortford.

“Working together with our development partners, East Herts District Council, we are collaborating with a highly experienced project team to make the most of this key site.

“We look forward to finalising our masterplan and getting spades in the ground.”

He confirmed Cityheart would deliver the “public realm works” for EHC at the same time as the rest of the development to “minimise disruption”.

Kier, a group with £4 billion in revenue and £150.2m operating profit, has four divisions: construction, transportation, natural resources, nuclear & networks, and property.

The Goodsyard development next to Bishop’s Stortford railway station is a £200m project by Solum, a multi-site development partnership between Network Rail and Kier Property.

In December 2017, Kier bought the Anchor Street Leisure Centre for £7.85m.