Residents and businesses have just under two weeks left to give their views on the future of South West Hertfordshire, as part of a public consultation on a draft vision of the area.
More than 3000 people have already responded to the consultation on the South West Hertfordshire 2050 - Realising Our Potential document. The document, which includes a draft vision and objectives for the area until 2050, marks the first formal plan-making stage for the South West Herts Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) and covers all aspects of life in South West Hertfordshire, as well as the big issues and opportunities that lie ahead for the area, such as the challenges of climate change.
We've drawn it up in collaboration with St Albans City and District Council, Dacorum Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council, supported by Hertfordshire County Council. Responses to the consultation are invited until 5pm on Friday 4 November.
Hertsmere Borough Councillor Dr Harvey Cohen, Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: "We know people feel passionately about where they live and work, and that they rightly have strong views on how they want the area to grow or change.
"The South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan will set high level policies on climate change, infrastructure, housing, transport, sports and leisure provision, and employment - issues which we're grappling with in Hertsmere, as are the other local authorities involved in the plan.
"This is the final opportunity for people in Hertsmere to have their say on the vision and objectives which will inform that plan and provide a bedrock from which all future decisions about the JSP will be made. Make sure your voice is heard."
Chair of the SW Herts Member Group and Leader of St Albans City and District Council, Cllr Chris White said: “I want to thank everyone who has taken the opportunity to engage with us about this important piece of work that will go on to shape the future of our area.
“This document marks the first step towards delivering a plan which will address the key issues and opportunities facing South West Hertfordshire until 2050.
"In it, we try to tackle the big questions head-on, such as how we balance our need for growth with the need to protect and enhance our green spaces and environment.
"If you haven't had a chance to respond but would like to give your views, there is still time. Every comment matters to us."
The South West Hertfordshire 2050 – Realising our Potential document has been developed following a poll in early 2020, which generated more than 14,500 comments, a series of workshops, and an online engagement exercise, in which participants were asked what type of future they would like to see.
In addition, residents and businesses are being asked to give their views on a Sustainability Appraisal Scoping report, which will help us consider the environmental, social and economic effects of the joint strategic plan.
SW Herts is one of only a small number of councils in the UK working together in this way. By considering the longer-term future of a bigger area as whole, the opportunities for the future such as more Government funding for infrastructure improvements are greater.
The SW Herts JSP will not replace Local Plans. Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans City & District, Three Rivers and Watford are still required to have in place their own up-to-date plans.
The full document is available to view at www.swhertsplan.com/consultation.
ENDS
Posted on Monday 24th October 2022