We were very sad to learn of the passing of John Graham on Sunday 11th July 2021. Our tribute is written by Moira Jones. John was born and grew up in Manchester. He was Vice chair of Harlow Civic Society for several years, Sir Frederick Gibberd’s partner, and a significant figure in the history of Harlow.  John…

The Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Partnership has started a consultation on their Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The consultation runs until Sunday 13 June. The Plan lays out measures for new walking and cycling networks, rolled out over the next ten years, making it easier and safer for people to walk or…

Michael Beard of PHE recently gave a presentation on zoom to Harlow U3A giving an update on Public Health England’s move to Harlow. The presentation is about 30 minutes duration followed by a question and answer session. U3A made a recording of the event – thanks to them for sharing it with us. You can…

You may have heard the very sad news that Stan Newens died peacefully at home on Tuesday evening March 2nd, aged 91. Stan was the Chair of the Civic Society and the driving force behind it since its inception in 1999. He was passionate about our town and took every opportunity to promote it and…

We recently responded to a government planning consultation entitled ‘Supporting housing delivery and public service infrastructure’. This contained proposals  to extend Permitted Development Rights allowing conversions from a broad class of commercial properties to residential. We have strongly objected to this.  In Harlow, there have been more than 1,100 residential units created from office conversions under the…

The Princess Alexandra NHS Hospital Trust is hosting two virtual public meetings to update on its plans for the new hospital. Hospital staff will give their vision for the new hospital and the architects will present design ideas for the main hospital welcome and reception areas.  There will be an opportunity  to question the hospital team on…

We send all our members and supporters very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. We have all had a challenging  year and we very much hope that you have kept safe and well. As a Society we have only been able to hold one event in September – the well received walk around Newhall….

Our autumn 2020 newsletter is now available to download or view here. Read about Our new Just Giving page where you can donate to the plaque to celebrate the Alberni Quartet – see https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/harlowcivicsociety Our response to the ‘Planning for the Future’ White Paper John Curry’s letter to the Daily Telegraph praising Harlow’s sculptures. An…

Harlow Civic Society (HCS) has submitted a response to the government white paper ‘Planning for the Future’, claimed to make the planning system for development ‘simpler, faster and more predictable’.  Although we agree that the current planning system does need changes, Harlow Civic Society (HCS) believes that the wholesale changes set out in the document…

The Harlow and Gilston Garden Town (HGGT) aims to set the agenda for sustainable and healthy living  and has prepared a Healthy Garden Framework and Sustainability Guidance and Checklist. This is to provide practical guidance to developers and planners on how to achieve and assess high quality environmental, social and economic sustainability and health in the…