Ware Online Forum

Reply ID 2062

I havn't heard anything, but it seems strange that Van Hagues has spent so much time and money doing up their car park if they are going to sell to developers.

Reply ID 2063

It wouldn't surprise me at all if Van Hages was sold to a developer. They seem to be motivated by money over there, judging by the prices they charge - and would make millions in the land sale - enough to resurface every car park in hertfordshire!!!

Reply ID 2064

They own a large area of land so may be considering selling of a part of it only, maybe the developers were checking to see if they could expand elsewhere.

Reply ID 2066

Van Hages own a lot of land already, and i know that they have just brought some more land, so maybe that is what they may well be selling onto developers!?!

Reply ID 2072

I live in Great Amwell and I think what you may be referring to is the Harlow Expansion and its effect on Great Amwell. I received a note through my door which stated that "a number of options have been considered by the consultants (Atkins) including the expansion of Harlow to the south and west as well as the infilling of the so-called Green Fingers within Harlow itself. This latter option was discounted because of the perception that the Green Fingers were sacrosanct. Another option is expansion to the north of the A414 as far as the outskirts of Hunsdon which would include both commercial and housing development. However, the two preferred options involve identical incursions into the Greenbelt within the parishes of Great Amwell and St Margarets. In the long term vision this would involve the loss of several sites: Hillside Farm, Bridgeman's Field and the large field to the east of Hillside Lane, Van Hage's Garden Centre and the adjoining land and, finally, the large area of land to the west of the A1170 between Amwell and Ware". I went into Van Hage's Garden Centre and was told by a member of staff that it is not the Garden Centre that will be going but private Van Hage land. I don't know which is right. Personally I have no problem with more housing etc in Harlow but I don�t see why it should be at the expense of Great Amwell�s Greenbelt .

Reply ID 2077

We don't want those Harlow oiks invading the more pleasant parts of our area like Amwell End and St. Margarets. Surely we should be putting them with the rest of the white trash at the top end of town around Cromwell and Trinity? woof woof!

Reply ID 2078

What a vicious attack on our neighbours, Black Dog..excuse the pun but you realy are barking up the wrong tree. Its not the people living in these developments that are the problem, rather its the increase in pollution, traffic, noise and pressure on schools and services that are the main source of anxiety. Herts and Essex have always been compatible neighbours, lets hope that continues to be.

Reply ID 2086

Why should they expand in the direction of Ware? Surely they can expand in the opposite direction!!? What would happen if Ware wanted/needed to expand in the future, where would it go to?? As a horse rider, it is getting harder to ride in the lovely countryside as it is! Surely this would mean that the current stable yards that are in and around Ware will have to close, and the bridleways are going to be turned into building sites!?!

Reply ID 2092

I have it on good autority (albeit a concrete source rumour) that Van Hages has extended out front and tarmaced it disguising it as a car park and even adding white lines to add authenticity while in reality it is the foundations of 1,000 new homes as part of the Harlow extension plan!!! This may mean that Van Hage will be forced to lower it's prices as otherwise, the residents (probably mainly part of the convicts in the community scheme) will burgle Van Hages and steal what they want. This could be good new for us all round! Ralph H'hauffer

Reply ID 2100

Does anybody remember 10 years ago or so, when the Mercury run a report for 2/3 weeks, that Van Hages was to be sold for housing development...what seems to come around goes around?

Reply ID 2103

Has nobody seen the Mercury today? It dispells all housing/Van Hages rumours on WareOnline

Reply ID 2104

Rachael. A week ago, it wasn't a rumour - it was something very real which concerned residents worried about future developments. If Ajaccs didn't post his original message on Ware Online, the Mercury wouldn't have been able to follow up on the story. The Mercury reporters are regular lurkers to the site. (Hello Mercury Reporters)

Reply ID 2108

Blimey! The power of the internet! Didn't see the Mercury today, but will get a copy tomorrow.( or at least have a peek at one in the newsagent)

Reply ID 2109

Is that what they call 'product placement' - get someone to mention a story in 'The Mercury' and everyone goes to get one. Next thing you know they'll be starting the rumours themselves - or have they already?

Reply ID 2110

Whether the specific threat of the development of Van Hagues or even the filling in of the greenbelt between Ware and Harlow is true, it represents a growing trend of development in the South East. Much of this is evident around Ware. Whilst we are lucky to have many new developments in Ware that are sensitive to the town's architecture, such an increase in population that these new housing developments are having, and will continue to have, are affecting the level of resources available for residents and the quality of life that we all experience. Since the massive Crane Meads development was completed are WAGN running more train services from Liverpool Street to Ware to cope? Are there more carriages in the trains that do run? Have more schools been built? Are there more doctors surgeries? The population of the area is expanding and the quality of life is declinning. Ware is most certainly loosing its rural character and becoming more like an area of North London. 30-40 years ago Enfield and Edmonton used to be desirable places to live, now people are fleeing to areas such as Ware. I think it is essential to stress that a link must be made between these massive new developments, and the changes in our town and others, to the high levels of immigration to the South East. I would suggest that whilst many people claim not to object to massive levels of immigration to London, they do not make the connection that this is driving people to the Home Counties, from such areas as North London to areas such as Ware. This is such an important issue that it must be debated. And no, I will not accept replies that suggest that anyone who poses such questions is xenophobic or racist in any way!!

Reply ID 2113

There are areas in Enfield that are still nice places to live, although I think we have learned lessons from previous expansions and will build new developements more sympathetically this time. Expansion does not preclude quality of life, if it is done with proper consideration of amenities and aesthetics. We have places that are unlikely to be built on for example the Meads between Ware and Hertford, and the New river and the river Lea both of which will continue to be used by walkers and fishermen. Residents of Ware and Hertford are also not shy about kicking up a fuss if something unreasonable is planned for the area, so I have no doubts that when new expansions are proposed they will come under the close scrutiny of the ever watchfull public.

Reply ID 2115

Have you seen the Barratts development at "Coleridge Park" in Hertford? It's high density and totally out of keeping with the area - more akin to what you might expect to find in North London.

Reply ID 2118

I think you've made a valuable point Empty. I was beginning to think that I was alone in thinking that congestion is ruining the quality of life for the people in and around Ware. At the moment we have the best of both worlds i.e. countryside and a vibrant town life but the pendulum is set to swing in favour of urbanisation on a grand scale with all the crime and pressure on services not to mention the noise and pollution which is already bordering on the intolerable. We must summon all our energy to fight for a more peaceful existence e.g. by firmly standing our ground over such issues as the unwanted expansion of Stansted airport. Lets hope people will overcome their inhibitions and try to make a diference!

Reply ID 2141

quote:

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Surely we should be putting them with the rest of the white trash at the top end of town around Cromwell and Trinity?

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