After a major public consultation programme, Hertsmere’s Local Plan process has reached its next stage.
The Local Plan has been shaped by residents and the Council has listened to all comments. The Council first asked for residents’ views in 2024. Then earlier this year a draft plan was published for consultation. Thousands of residents made comments.
The Council has listened to the responses and has made important changes. Some of the proposed sites for new homes were not supported by residents for a variety of reasons. After reviewing around 6,000 individual and template responses to the consultation in April and May, the Council has removed several sites that were listed as potential sites for new development, including the proposed Well End Strategic Urban Extension for 3,750 homes, between Borehamwood and Shenley.
In total, the following major urban extensions have been removed:
- Well End, strategic urban extension, Borehamwood/Shenley - 3,750 homes
- Mutton Lane, strategic urban extension, Potters Bar – 1750 homes
- Compass Park, urban extension, Bushey – 802 homes
- Land at Battlers Green Farm, urban extension, Radlett – 450 homes
Other concerns were raised about the lack of new infrastructure to accompany new homes. The Plan includes land for new schools, new healthcare, new utilities, new transport and green space, including
- Development at Bowmans Cross provides for nurseries, primary schools and a secondary school.
- At Barnet Road, land is safeguarded for a primary school.
- At South of Shenley Hill, land is safeguarded for the expansion of Newberries Primary School.
- The land at Organ Hall Farm includes a new medical centre.
- Development south of Shenley Hill includes provision for a new medical centre.
- New homes south of Allum Lane provides an opportunity for a larger, relocated GP surgery.
The Council is working with Hertfordshire County Council, the NHS, utility companies, train and bus companies and others who will deliver the new infrastructure.
Councillor Jeremy Newmark, Leader of the Council, said:
“Hertsmere needs an adopted Local Plan so local people can decide where new homes and new jobs are located, not planning inspectors in Whitehall. A Local Plan is an essential part of providing for the future of our children and grandchildren. Hertsmere’s housing need is real. We all know people in their mid-thirties and in good jobs still living with their parents in their childhood bedroom. Too many young people are being priced out of the communities they grew up in.
“No development is not an option. Without an up-to-date Local Plan, it will be more difficult to resist inappropriate development, including on the Green Belt, and there is a greater risk of planning decisions being made through the appeals process rather than through a locally agreed strategy.”
Councillor Nik Oakley, Cabinet member for Planning, Infrastructure & Transport, said:
“Our priority is building on ‘brownfield’ land first - building on land that's already been developed. We also want to regenerate our town centres, keeping new homes close to existing transport and services. New homes in town centres also help existing local businesses by providing new customers and local employees.
“But brownfield land alone can't meet the need. Part of the solution is to put some of the development on lower quality 'Grey Belt' land, to protect the Green Belt sites of most value to Hertsmere.
“With an up-to-date Local Plan, the Council is much more able to refuse inappropriate development proposals and speculative developers are much less likely to win on appeal because Planning Inspectors are more likely to support the Council’s approved Local Plan.”
The Full Council meets on 7th October to consider the Local Plan. At that meeting, all 39 Hertsmere Councillors will be asked to vote on the Local Plan and, subject to that decision, its submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination. If approved by the Council, the Plan will then be examined by an independent Planning Inspector.