East Hertfordshire District Council has revealed that City Hearts, has been selected to develop the £200 million Old River Lane Main Site Development in Bishop’s Stortford.

This news comes after in early March, the concillors voted to approve a £30m budget for the project. The decision made at the East Herts Council meeting meant that they were in a position to appoint a developer to transform the Old River Lane site.

The vision of the Old River Lane is for a high quality mixed use scheme of exceptional design that contributes to the vibrancy of Bishop's Stortford, creates a new Town Centre destination and complements the uniqueness of this historic market town. The vision is consistent with the priorities of the Corporate Strategic Plan 2016-2020.

Key elements of the plans for the site will include:

• New arts and cultural centre with a 500+ seat theatre and niche cinema, potentially the library, one stop shop for council services, hot desking workspace and café
• Housing
• Retail/restaurant space
• A new public square, pedestrianised areas, and clear walkways through to Castle Park

These elements have been made based on feedback from a consultation held in 2016 on the framework document that looked at future options for Bishop's Stortford Town Centre.