Hitchin Footpaths – How You Can Help
For some years, Hitchin Forum members have worked in coordination with Hertfordshire County Council’s Countryside Access Officer for our area. Read more here about what we do and what can be done for the town’s 100+ footpaths and bridleways.
Churchgate Regeneration. 
A new group – Churchgate Resurgence PB – have now done presentations to other Hitchin groups, Hitchin Committee and North Herts Cabinet and Council. Their website is here. They give an account of their ideas and concepts which have been very well thought out and very well received. In addition they mounted an exhibition and have conducted a survey and the results of the 640 online participants are on their website (paper responses still to be analysed). Their work is fully supported by Hitchin Initiative and Hitchin Forum, and was very well received by Hitchin Councillors. The Council’s report for Nov 22nd is here (in item 8, Agenda reports pack)
The 
Hitchin’s Big Green Litter Pick happened on Sunday October 21st, This was organized by Hitchin Forum and Clean Up Hitchin. 240 volunteers on 15 sites. Heroes’ Gallery here.
Hitchin Town Hall
& the District Museum – Great news that agreement and the sale of 14/15 Brand Street by Hitchin Town hall Ltd to NHDC has been reached and has been confirmed by NHDC Cabinet on November 20th. Full details on NHDC website here. Well done to HTHLtd who have worked so hard to get the right deal for the community.
Highover Farm Outline Planning Application is on the NHDC website, reference number 18/01154/OP – full details here. Hitchin Forum’s response to the developers’ initial proposal is here.
Friends of Butts Close – latest Newsletter here 
and more about the Friends of this valued green space here.
The District Local Plan & the Examination In Public – the details and our submissions, but we are still awaiting the Inspectors decisions.
Air Quality in Hitchin – what is happening?
What else do we do? 
The Forum exists to develop and channel energy and enthusiasm for the town. We work to highlight things that we think need to change and improve the environment, and challenge developments that we think will damage our heritage and future. Information on all of our current and recent campaigns, issues and concerns are available here.
We have working groups to look at the main issues which arise 
– the town centre, transport, open spaces and recreation, planning applications, planning policies and, lastly, how we get the information out – communications. More details here with info on the planning system.
Hitchin Forum was formed in 1992 as a non-political umbrella to bring together people and organizations who want to maintain and enhance Hitchin’s special character. It enables the views of people who live and work in Hitchin to be presented in a co-ordinated manner to relevant bodies – more history is here.
Read more about Hitchin, its history and the changes here, where to find local footpaths here. Members are regularly updated on issues and meetings, by occasional emails and a 2 monthly newsletter – present & previous ones are here. We hold several members’ meetings through the year.
Do join us! Anyone with an interest in Hitchin can join the Forum, either as an individual or as a nominated representative of an organization in the town. If you do want to be more involved then tell us – we often need an extra pair of hands! But – there is no obligation to do more than sign up – that is support enough. It is important that we have a wide membership base, partly so that we can hear a wide range of opinions, and also that we hear about issues in all corners of the town – membership details here.