A BITTER Twitter row has broken out between Bishop’s Stortford’s former mayor and the owner of a leading local business.
Cllr Colin Woodward, who represents Stortford at town, district and county level, has clashed with Ce’ The Jeweller’s Rob Drewett over the impending Old River Lane development at The Causeway.
The feud was ignited on Saturday, when Cllr Woodward - who is a supporter of Henderson’s controversial £105m project - tweeted: "Stortford mkt and retail really buzzing. V few empty shops. Could retailers against Old River Lane have anti-competition agenda perhaps?"
Mr Drewett, who is among the independent traders opposing the project, hit back a day later calling the comment "pathetic". In an impassioned series of tweets, he called on Cllr Woodward to listen to opponents and argued most residents remained against the scheme.
He wrote: "This is b****y ridiculous Colin, for someone like you, ‘our leaders’ to be holding a twitter debate in truncated text, get off your a**e and speak to the people at the sharp end instead of believing everything a developer is telling you.
"I find your stance pathetic, I have asked THREE times now to meet and you have ignored each one. STOP playing politics with the town I live in, the town I have a business in and the town most people love.
"This isn’t just about YOU, EHDC [East Herts District Council], HENDERSONS or any other group, it’s about what is right for Bishop’s Stortford as a whole. Now go and research your facts again. I’m done."
Despite opposition from the town’s residents’ associations, the Civic Federation, independent traders and other objectors, Old River Lane was approved by East Herts amid uproar in August.
Supporters say the ambitious project, which includes shops, flats, restaurants and an underground car park, is the only way to stop the growing number of shoppers spending their money out of town.
Mr Drewett told Cllr Woodward: "We are not against [development], BUT it has to be RIGHT!"
Cllr Woodward said: "Then seek as I to positively engage and influence. More 'head down' cllrs than you realise + public want investment and choice.
"I attended exhibs/many presentations, read the papers/discussed facts with officers, questioned Hendersons unlike many.
"Think I have attended any meeting to date to which I was invited."
