Green light for Hertsmere vision

Revised plans which set out a vision of Hertsmere for the next 15 years have been formally adopted.

Our Core Strategy contains development policies for housing, employment, the environment, retail and transport until 2027, and guidance on a range of other issues including natural and heritage assets, air quality and water resources.

The strategy was submitted for examination in February and public hearings were held by planning inspector Mary Travers over three days in May.

In her report, published this month, Ms Travers backed the strategy subject to some minor changes. These included a slight increase in the overall housing requirement for the borough; greater provision for affordable homes in new developments; and a commitment to undertake an assessment of housing need within three years.

Members of the public were invited to give their responses to these changes during a six-week consultation from August.

The changes were approved by the council’s executive committee on Wednesday 9 January, and formally adopted by full council yesterday (Wednesday 16 January).

Glen Wooldrige, the council’s director of environment, said: “The Core Strategy is a very important document, which will guide town planning and development in the area for the next decade and a half.

“I want to thank everybody who contributed to the Core Strategy. It is the result of a long process, which has taken into account the views of residents, developers, town and parish councils, residents’ associations and other local and national interest groups.”

Councillor Harvey Cohen, portfolio holder for planning and localism, said: “This Core Strategy aims to achieve a balance between preserving and enhancing the beauty of our borough, and ensuring its economic and social vitality for the next 15 years.

“It is vital that, despite all the uncertainty at national and international level, our officers and councillors have a vision for the borough which they can use to help them shape local provision and make day-to-day decisions on services that matter to our residents.” 

Policies within the Core Strategy will replace some of those in the current Hertsmere Local Plan, which was adopted in 2003.