Consultation to go ahead on future of Hitchin sorting office

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PLANS to demolish the former Hitchin sorting office and create a new complex made up of flats, shops, hotels and restaurants will be consulted on this summer, councillors decided last night.

The site, which ceased to be used by Royal Mail earlier this year, has been sold to Whitebarn Developments (Hitchin) Ltd which has been working with North Herts District Council (NHDC) on the future of the site.

A draft development plan – which outlines uses including leisure, retail and residential – also includes proposals to widen the River Hiz and improve pedestrian access.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Ray Shakespeare-Smith, chairman of Hitchin area committee, said: “This gives Hitchin the opportunity to lose a very unattractive building and to revitalise Hermitage Road if the development is done sensitively.

“I think this is a step forward and a development in that site will be a great advantage and a benefit for the people of Hitchin.”

Councillors unanimously agreed to proceed with a public consultation this summer.

Comments from that consultation will be fed back to the council and discussed at a later meeting.

Cllr Tom Brindley, portfolio holder for planning, said: “This is an important but exciting opportunity for Hitchin to generate an important site somewhere that currently isn’t the most attractive site in Hitchin.”

Royal Mail announced in 2010 that services provided at the sorting office would be relocated to Stevenage. The site was put on sale last year.