Planning & Development in Hertford
Planning and growth in Hertford and East Herts is governed at three levels:
- by national planning laws enshrined in the National Planning Policy Framework,
- local planning policies defined in the East Herts District Plan,
- and more detailed ward level planning policies found in Neighbourhood Plans.
One of the guiding principles of national planning law is the presumption in favour of development.
Local planning policies have to work within national planning laws to manage growth and the effects of population increase. Key issues are the environment, local economy, housing, transport, infrastructure and services. The most important and visible of these issues are housing and infrastructure.
Planning Applications
Planning applications for housing are dealt with by the District Council. If an application complies with planning policies then the council is expected to grant planning permission.
All planning applications are subject to consultation with the public and statutory consultees such as water companies, waste authorities, health services, environmental agencies and highways authorities. These bodies can raise policy issues and suggest planning conditions. Members of the public can also comment on policy matters. However the number of public objections is not a material consideration in determining planning applications. Decisions are made based on planning policy, not popularity.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure demands are dealt with by the relevant bodies such as the highways and health authorities (for example). These bodies determine how an application will impact the existing infrastructure and what improvements might be necessary, and how those improvements should be paid for and by whom. This will often involve planning conditions that oblige a developer to pay towards infrastructure improvements. Developers are not expected to include infrastructure improvements in their plans as this is for the relevant authorities to determine.
The District Plan
One of the principal roles of the District Plan and local planning policies is to allocate land for future housing in order to meet the predicted growth in population.
The current District Plan covers the period from 2011 to 2033 and identifies 4 sites for 950 homes, which are:
- The former gas works in Mead Lane (200 homes)
- Land to the west of Sele Farm (550 homes)
- North of Bengeo (150 homes)
- Mangrove Road (50 homes)
It is also anticipated that additional new homes are built in what is termed windfall development - that is to say, in addition to the allocated areas.
The previous Local Plan of 2007 similarly identified and allocated land for 566 homes on the following sites:
- Former Addis site in Ware Road (218 homes)
- Riverside Yards (49 homes)
- Goldings in North Road (44 homes)
- Mead Lane, west of Marshgate Drive (100 homes)
- Balls Park (55 homes)
- Mill Road (100 homes)
The first plan for East Herts came into force on 1st November 1981, followed by a review that applied from 3rd March 1993. Limited alterations were adopted on 3rd December 1999, taking the previous plan to 2001. A second review guided development to 2011.
Development Database
Our housing development database contains details of all significant builds in the last 20 years. Have a browse.
Published 20th January 2024