Bishop’s Stortford’s historic roots ripped up by gentrification

“Ugly high rise flats add nothing to the town except cheaply-built accommodation.”

Nestled in ever-growing, ever-changing Hertfordshire, Bishop’s Stortford is a middle-class suburban town to outsiders. To me it’s home, and like many others people’s homes, mine is being swept up in the gentrification trend.

Located in the town’s historic heart is Water Lane United Reformed Church Hall. A performing arts and community centre for over 100 years, last September it was registered as an Asset of Community Value, yet it still faces demolition. 

The Old River Lane Scheme was proposed by East Herts Council, alongside Cityheart Ltd as the developer. East Herts Council has promised a new arts centre, shops, offices and 225 homes.

According to the council: “The vision for Old River Lane is to deliver a high quality, mixed-use scheme of exceptional design that contributes to the vibrancy of Bishop’s Stortford and complements the uniqueness of our historic market town.”

The underrepresented voices of the residents can’t be heard above the developers and the council, who are tearing up the roots of this historic market town.

Gailie Pollock is the artistic director of Contexture Theatre, a performing arts company which calls Water Lane home. From Paddy Lennox’s Laughing Bishops Comedy Club to live gigs over the years, a plethora of groups have come together there.

As a resident of this town for nearly 30 years, I can’t think of one larger building that we can begin to be proud of leaving behind for future generations – Jim Tatchell

Gailie told me: “If Water Lane is demolished, Paddy’s comedy club will have to move out of town as there is nowhere for him to perform.”

To align with their policies, East Herts council must provide a replacement building for the ones demolished, hence the planned new arts centre.

But Gailie said: “They claim there will be two adaptable performance spaces. When I went to see the plans, I discovered that the spaces are only going to be 10m x 3m, and seating capacity to be 150. What’s the point in claiming there’s performing spaces when they’re not practical spaces.”

She added the proposed plans are not a replacement in comparison to Water Lane Hall, an affordable venue for youth and amateur performers, with 200 seats.

“You are not giving us a replacement space. No professional companies will perform there. You’re cutting out audiences who would come and see a professional theatre company or comedian.”

A prominent figure in the Bishops Stortford arts forum, Gailie represents local artists searching for an artistic hub. “These artistic groups are essentially homeless, and I’m trying to create a base for them.”

Gailie has proposed a parish poll, for residents to cast their vote on saving the endangered Water Lane Hall. This is to be held within the next fourteen to twenty five days.

“The most important thing to do now is to let people know it’s happening, let them know they have the opportunity to vote in the next few weeks.”

Council’s wants over resident’s needs

East Herts Council said, “this is a high profile project for the council”, with no mention of what the project means for the people Bishop’s Stortford.

Jim Tatchell, a local business owner and school governor, is another dissenting voice, saying: “The people of the town are amazing – it’s just that the buildings, the infrastructure, and local political leaders are not up to the same standard. And that’s a shame.”

Jim noted this is not the first building development Bishops Stortford has seen, a town now covered in new-build “copy and paste” housing.

“Ugly high rise flats add nothing to the town except cheaply built accommodation.”

He added: “As a resident of this town for nearly 30 years, I can’t think of one larger building that we can begin to be proud of leaving behind for future generations.”

Gentrification is sweeping our streets and making them cleaner and safer from an outsider’s view, but what happens to those who lose their businesses, their homes, the blueprint of their culture?

I reached out to East Herts Council for comment, but have yet to receive a reply.