Hitchin Sorting Office consultation ‘went well’

THE new owners of the former Hitchin Sorting Office have met with a council to discuss how to move forward with plans for the site.

Owners Whitebarn (Hitchin) Developments Ltd discussed the results of a public consultation with North Herts District Council at a private meeting on Wednesday.

The consultation, which lasted for six weeks and included two public exhibitions, ended last week.

Whitebarn’s Mark Shadbolt said that he was pleased with how it had gone.

“It went well, we had quite a good turn out to both exhibition days, quite a lot of people through the doors, and quite a lot of feedback,” he told the Comet.

“I think a lot of people have different opinions and views on how it should work. But I think there’s an overwhelming desire to see the site redeveloped.

“Whether it’s us, Hitchin pressure groups, or residents, everyone wants to see what’s there demolished and something built there in its place.”

A draft brief, which the consultation was based on, proposes a mix of shops, leisure, restaurants and cafes, and residential use for the site.

But that could change, with feedback from the consultation to be used to form new plans.

Those plans are expected to be presented to Hitchin area committee later this year.