Harlow Renaissance has explored whether any opportunities exist for the re-development of part of the Templefields employment area to create an attractive district for business and open up river frontage opportunities whilst also ensuring that the Town’s economic base is not undermined.
Harlow Renaissance appointed consultants Derrick Wade Waters to consider whether there is scope for any strategic property-led moves, which if delivered, could release land for redevelopment. Derrick Wade Waters carried out a land ownership and occupation mapping exercise to identify whether any future development opportunities exist.
The findings of this work concurred with one of the conclusions reached in the Waterspace Strategy, that land to the north of River Way could provide a good opportunity for riverside housing. However, Derrick Wade Waters identified that it would be difficult to achieve in the short to medium term because of the multiplicity of owners and the number of occupiers on long leasehold arrangements. It was therefore concluded that the land should be retained for employment purposes, and that the opportunity to improve the quality and strength of the Templefields employment area should be pursued.
The work undertaken by Derek Wade Waters also confirmed that a significant issue in the area is the lack of road access through to the A1184 Cambridge Road. This means that River Way is effectively a 1.5 mile long cul-de-sac, and agents have reported that this can have a negative impact on their ability to let some of the units at the eastern end of River Way.
Harlow Renaissance and Harlow Council have held discussions with the owner of the premises to the east of Templefields about the possibility of extending the road by approximately 100 yards and creating a junction onto the A1184 Cambridge Road. The landowner is keen to work in partnership with the Council to progress the scheme, and has engaged consultants to prepare plans of how their landholdings might alter to accommodate the new length of road and junction.
Essex County Council has undertaken a feasibility study to explore the engineering issues and costs associated with extending the road and creating a new junction, and have produced plans of the proposed new scheme. In addition to consenting to part of their landholding being used to accommodate the scheme, the landowner has also agreed to contribute to the cost of the work.
It is now hoped that this project will form part of a wider Regional Growth Fund bid to be submitted by Harlow Council and Essex County Council, which will facilitate the proposed work and hopefully improve the quality and strength of the Templefields employment area.