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LDF evidence base

The Council is undertaking a number of studies and surveys to gather information for the new Local Development Framework.

Government guidance requires the policies in Local Development Frameworks to be based upon sound evidence. This page details the studies undertaken by Hertsmere Borough Council to meet this requirement. For further information on any of these studies or to purchase a full copy of the reports, please contact the planning department.

Housing

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)

Hertsmere Borough Council's SHLAA forms an important part of the LDF evidence base. The SHLAA is a live document, first published September 2010 and can be viewed here.

Viability Study - Development Economics Study

The Development Economics Study examines the viability of delivering affordable housing by considering a range of possible different policy options for thresholds and percentages for requiring the provision of affordable housing.

Strategic Housing Market Assessment

The Strategic Housing Market Assessment considers how the local housing markets operate and assesses housing need and demand in the area. The Strategic Housing Market Assessment was produced in cooperation with Hertfordshire County Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans District Council, Three Rivers District Council, Watford Borough Council and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, to consider the wider housing market.

Housing Needs Survey

Hertsmere Borough Council and Welwyn Hatfield District Council jointly commissioned David Couttie Associates to examine the levels of housing demand and supply in each District. The study was completed in November 2005.

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Survey

The Centre of Urban and Regional Studies at the University of Birmingham undertook an assessment of need for gypsy and traveller sites and pitches in 2005. This is a joint project between Hertfordshire County Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council.

Identification of potential Gypsy and Traveller sites

Following the completion of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Survey in April 2005, independent consultants were appointed to prepare a report on potential sites. The report by Scott Wilson was completed in September 2006. The full report can be viewed here.

 

Employment

Hertfordshire London Arc Jobs Growth and Employment Land

The study's purpose is to provide a sub-regional overview of future requirements for employment land, comprising factories, warehouses and offices, in the plan period to 2026. It follows up earlier work on the Central Hertfordshire Employment Land Review.

Central Hertfordshire Employment Land Review

Hertsmere Borough Council commissioned a joint report with Welwyn Hatfield District Council and St Albans City & District Council to analyse the quantity and quality of employment land in the Borough. The work was undertaken by consultants Roger Tym & Partners and was completed in November 2006.

Local Significant Employment Sites

The purpose of the Local Significant Employment Sites study was to recommend sites currently in B, or physically similar Sui Generis, use for allocation as Local Significant Employment Sites in the Borough’s Local Development Framework.

Employment Site Allocations Report

The aim of the study was to principally to assess the boundaries of allocated Employment Areas and make recommendations in respect of whether they should be altered before the sites are considered for reallocation. It also sought to recommend whether existing safeguarded employment land adjoining Potters Bar should be retained, and whether any additional land should be safeguarded, in addition to discussing alternative options.


Retail

Retail Topic Paper

The topic paper set out the existing robust evidence base regarding the retail needs assessments that covers Hertsmere but have been prepared by authorities that adjoin Hertsmere. This justifies Hertsmere Borough Council’s position regarding the informed decision not to allocate any major retail sites itself and the choice not to undertake an additional full retail needs / capacity assessment.

Town Centres and Shopping Study

The study evaluates the health of the six existing town and district centres and provides guidance to assist the Council in the evaluation and assessment of planning applications and proposals for retail development within the Borough in the future.

Environment

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Hertsmere Borough Council retained Halcrow to undertake a Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 25. The work was completed in May 2008.

Open Space Study

The Council has undertaken an Open Space Study in accordance with PPG 17.

Building Futures

Building Futures is an evolving web-based guide, designed to provide practical, user-friendly and up to date guidance for planning officers, developers and the general public on how to make development in Hertfordshire more sustainable and of a higher quality in design terms. It can be viewed here.

Hertfordshire Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Technical Study

The study identifies options for delivering Renewable and Low Carbon opportunities to Hertfordshire. It provides an understanding of the local feasibility and potential for renewable and low-carbon technologies.