Land to spare?

Are you a landowner, developer or architect? Perhaps you have, or know of, an unused piece of land that is suitable for development? If so then Hertsmere Borough Council would like to hear from you.

The council is currently putting together a site allocation document which identifies sites within the borough that can be used for future development. This may include, but is not limited to, suitable sites for housing, employment, retail or community uses.

The document forms part of a framework for future planning policies and is set to be published in spring 2009 for consultation.

A number of sites have already been put forward for consideration and are currently being considered, so if you have already suggested a site there is no need for you to do so again.

Cllr Hannah David, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning, explained: “The council has been given strict targets to meet in terms of its housing requirements which means we have to find land to accommodate 5,000 homes between 2001 and 2021. Therefore it is doubly important that we identify as many areas of previously developed land as possible in order to minimise any future impact on the green belt.

“As part of our final call for possible sites we are writing to developers and agents but if you know of land which is likely to become available for development and which you think could be used, please do get in touch.”

If you know of a site for possible development please contact us by Monday 15 December so it can be considered for inclusion in the consultation document.

If possible please tell us:

• details of the site and proposed development boundaries
• current land use(s)
• relevant historical land use(s)
• proposed new use(s) for the site
• an estimation of when the site could become available for development
• any land ownership / other legal constraints which might prevent or delay development. 

If you have any questions please contact Nathan Barratt on 020 8207 7582, otherwise send information to local.plan@hertsmere.gov.uk or post to Policy and Transport Team, Hertsmere Borough Council, Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 1WA.