East Herts District Council is currently consulting on plans that could see the green belt rolled back to the north, south and west of the town.

The plans will form part of the Local Development Framework that sets out council growth policy until 2031. Proposals under consideration include building homes in the town centre and urban areas, together with expansion to the north, south and west of the town. Expansion eastwards is ruled out to prevent the merging on Hertford and Ware.

A shortage of family homes in the town is also recognised in the plans, together with the cost of land required for town centre and urban developments.

You can read more about the council's plans and submit your comments at eastherts-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/issuesandoptions.

The consultation runs until 25th November 2010. 

The towpath outside The Barge PH is continuing to subside, despite repairs by the District Council in recent weeks.

The Council repaired the towpath after a trench opened up next to the pub.

There has been speculation that the wall along the river is slowly giving way and may eventually collapse into the river. 

Mill Road was closed for half-an-hour this afternoon after fire broke out in a flat in the new Waterfront development in Mill Road.

No-one was in the property when the fire started in a bedroom, filling the flat with smoke.

Four appliances attended the fire, together with paramedics, police and an ambulance.

The cause of the fire is unknown. 

Value store Alworths has opened in Maidenhead Street, occupying the former premises of Woolworths.

The Hertford branch is the company's 15th store, the first having opened last November on what would have been Woolworths' centenary.

Alworths stock a similar range to their predecessors, including Pic'n'mix, stationery, toys and kitchenware.

The company was started last year by Andy Latham, who was formerly Woolworths' Head of Store Concessions and Development.

The Sugar Hut in Old Cross could be closed down after police applied for the licence to be reviewed.

Local residents have repeatedly complained about the behaviour of customers along with allegations of underage drinking.

Police have submitted evidence to the local council that the premises are not complying with conditions attached to the licence, including the failure to "protect children from harm".

A public consultation ends on Friday 24th September and the council's Licencing Sub-Committee will discuss the review on Thursday 14th October.

A new local paper has been launched by publisher Archant.

Hertford&Ware Scene replaces the East Herts Herald and is handed out by distributors in both towns every Thursday.

Another new local publication, The Hertford Mag, has also launched. The A5 magazine is published monthly and distributed free to households and businesses in SG13 and SG14.

Coggs Funfair is in town for the next ten days on their annual Autumn visit.

Rides are just £1 and the fair is open until 9:30pm Monday to Saturday until 26th September.

Town centre deli Farrow & Farrow will be closing down on Saturday 25th September.

The owners have decided not to renew the lease on the Railway Street premises.

Shop fittings are currently advertised for sale on the shops A-Board.

A Sele Farm woman has been jailed for two years after her flat was used for drug dealing.

Katie Lowlett allowed her Chiltern Court home to be used for the sale of crack cocaine and heroine last July to pay off a drug debt.

Lowlett pleaded guilty after being filmed by an undercover officer buying drugs from the premises.