Home could be built on burial ground

Proposals to build a three bedroomed home on the Quaker Burial Ground on Port Hall have been submitted to East Herts Council.

The site opposite Hartham Lane was used for Quaker burials from the mid-17th century until its closure in 1962, with the last burial taking place in 1939. It is estimated that around 1100 individuals are buried on the site.

The 3-bed home would be a self build featuring timber cladding and parking for two vehicles. To minimise ground disturbance, the building would sit on six piles driven in to the ground, rather than traditional foundations. 

At the time of publication, 15 comments had been received by the council, with 14 objecting and one in support. 

The council’s Conservation and Urban Design team have also objected to the plans, saying: "Given the contribution both the undeveloped and green nature of the site has to the character and the appearance and the significance of the CA [Cnservation Area], any form of dwelling on this site would cause harm to these aspects of significance, due to the change in character, from the loss of the gap, as well of trees/greenery, as well as the partial loss of the wall which is in itself a positive contributor to the CA.

"The site itself has a strong degree of heritage interest and would be considered to be a NDHA [Non Designated Heritage Asset]. This is because it has historic value as an early Quaker Burial Ground, with this value increasing given the historic significance of this movement, and its relevance to Hertford where the earliest Quaker Meeting House is located. It also has communal value given its use as a burial ground. Whilst there is limited architectural value remaining as the monuments have been relocated, the wall, which though not original is historic and the central path remain, further given that the early Quaker movement did not typically use tombs or monuments and later used simple/minimal markers, the lack of remaining architectural value in terms of monumnets does not undermine its status as a NDHA. Whilst the buried remains are within the remit of the archaeological service to comment upon, the loss or disturbance of these, along with the change in character from an undeveloped and peaceful site would mean that there would be harm, at the higher end to the NDHA."