The overall site has had plenty of false dawns since redevelopment plans were first approved in 2017
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Bircherley Green has been a contentious issue in Hertford for some time now. For years, the former shopping centre has sat empty, crying out for redevelopment and a new lease of life.
Chase New Homes took on the project in 2019, unveiling grand plans to transform the area in Hertfordshire's county town. Part of this development included 98 new homes that were available to buy within the new Lea Wharf development, which is on the site of the former Waitrose store that served as the main focal point of the old shopping area.
One resident who had agreed to buy one of the much sought after flats says he has been left "disappointed" at the developer's U-turn, while the leader of the Labour Group on East Herts District Council has slammed the decision. Damian Clarkson, who lives in Ware but hoped to downsize and move to Hertford and live in the exciting new development, was told over the Easter weekend that Chase New Homes were to rent out the properties instead.
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Chase New Homes has since set-up a subsidiary company called "Chase Living" and, on its website, the property developer says it will now be retaining all 98 homes within its new rental portfolio. The apartments will be ready to live in from March or April next year.
While Chase New Homes haven't breached the terms of the planning permission, Conservative Councillor Jan Goodeve, Executive Member for Planning on East Herts District Council, said she was "disappointed" by the move and says those who had agreed to buy the homes have felt "let down". The council has now written to the developers to express its concern on behalf of residents and to seek assurances of their future plans.
One of those who has been left frustrated is Mr Clarkson, who has relocated his business, London Kitchen, to the town. He first registered interest in buying a property in Lea Wharf late last year and had agreed, like many others, to purchase an apartment.
He had qualified as a buyer, went through mortgage checks and started marketing his own home. Since hearing of the decision by Chase New Homes, he has now taken his current home in Ware off the market, and is concerned about the precedent this may set for future developments across the county and further afield. He won't be homeless as a result of the decision but fears others may be.
"I was looking forward to moving to Hertford, I've moved my business here and it was a great development," he said. "I'm just disappointed."
This sentiment was echoed by Cllr Goodeve, who said: “The council is disappointed in the decision, chiefly in how let down people feel by Chase New Homes. Whilst the change is not a breach of planning permission, we wrote to Chase New Homes to express our concern on behalf of residents and to seek assurances of their future plans.
"We are pleased to hear of their intentions to provide residents with the highest standards of accommodation and service, with fully staffed customer care and maintenance teams ensuring Lea Wharf will remain a desirable and pleasant place to live. It is also great to see how well the commercial part of the scheme is progressing and attracting a varied a mix of retail, hospitality and leisure to boost the vitality of Hertford town centre.
"We monitor the mix of housing tenure across the district and will always endeavour to ensure the right types of property are built where they are needed. I sincerely hope those affected will find their perfect new home soon.”
The Leader of the Labour Group on East Herts District Council, Councillor Carolyn Redfern, has slammed the decision of Lea Wharf Developer, Chase New Homes, to remove all 98 flats in the development from sale and retain them as a rental investment.
Residents who had reserved property for purchase in the development contacted Hertford & Stortford Labour Party, telling them that Chase New Homes had informed them of the decision to pull the flats from the market over the Easter Weekend.
Councillor Redfern said: "Chase New Homes has benefited enormously from the goodwill of residents in Hertford who want to see an end to the delay and mismanagement of our town centre.
"Their decision to sneak out this announcement is a huge letdown, and will come as a huge disappointment to those who had reserved property to move into what will hopefully become a vibrant town centre.”
Labour has now also questioned East Herts District Council’s role in the developer’s decision to remove the flats from the market, with Cllr Redfern pledging to write to the Chief Executive and Leader of East Herts District Council and to raise an urgent question at the next council meeting.
Cllr Redfern added: "This decision is another blow in the running saga that the regeneration of our town centre has become – the Tory administration on East Herts District Council must urgently confirm when they first knew about Chase New Homes’ decision and whether they were consulted beforehand.”
Labour says it has previously called for the inclusion of genuinely affordable housing in the development in order to ensure that residents in the local area are not priced out. They say there is now a concern that these properties could be leased at an extortionate rate that is unaffordable to many in Hertford.
The Bircherley Green site, built in the early 1980s, has had plenty of false dawns over the years. The process started in 2012 when property developer Wrenbridge was appointed to manage the site, before planning permission for a redesign was granted by East Herts District Council in October 2017.
It was hoped that the plans – featuring a hotel, shops, 70 new flats and a car park, would come to fruition with the hotel opening in September 2019. This would then be followed by the flats, car park and new shops opening in early 2020. Everything was going smoothly as New Look, Halfords and Lloyds Bank were demolished in August 2018 and the corner of Railway Street was ready to be updated. However, the project ground to a halt over a dispute about parts of the plan.
By June 2019 the application was withdrawn, plunging the whole development into doubt. But come February 2020, new plans were submitted by Chase New Homes and, in June, the green light was given. Then, Premier Inn pulled out in September of that year, throwing another spanner in the works as the saga rumbled on.
Building work finally got underway in November last year after numerous stops and starts. The development will include a mix of retail, restaurants, leisure, parking and housing, with a new waterside public space.
Chase New Homes was asked how many out of the 98 Lea Wharf apartments had agreed to be sold, but did not comment. However, a spokesperson for the developer said: "The creation of Chase Living Ltd will provide a portfolio of new homes professionally managed with fully staffed customer care and maintenance teams.
"There is a significant shortage of rental accommodation in the private sector and we can help fill this void and deliver a range of new homes. Future residents will have a positive experience with our interior-designed apartments catering for modern living, an onsite concierge who will assist with day-to-day needs, maintain communal areas such as the residents’ outdoor terrace and be on hand to provide help when needed.
"Offers from several institutional and individual landlords have been made for Lea Wharf. We are immensely proud of the scheme and therefore resolved to continue to invest in Hertford by maintaining control of the project. As a local company and builders of Lea Wharf we will endeavour to provide the highest level of stewardship for residents. We look forward to ensuring Lea Wharf is a success and contributes to the vitality of Hertford for many years to come."
Charlie Wilson bought Chase New Homes, which is based in Welwyn Garden City, in 2015. The former Crystal Palace youth team goalkeeper was part of the Sunday Times Rich List last year, with a net worth of around £56m. He built up a portfolio of 250 flats, houses and freeholds within a few years and is currently a director of the company.
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