The five areas in Hertford earmarked for housebuilding

In 2018 East Herts Council published its 15-year plan for housing development in the district.

The plan includes over 950 homes in five areas of Hertford.

The council works with landowners, developers and other interested parties to identify the available land and agree principles for the most appropriate layout and form of development for each site.

Here are the five sites allocated for housing from 2018-2033:

The former gas works in Marshgate Drive

This site was earmarked for 200 new homes in The Plan, but developer St.William was given planning permission for almost 400 by a government inspector after appealing the refusal of planning permission by East Herts Council. This project is currently underway.

Sele Farm

Two sites to the north and south of Welwyn Road are set to see 550 new homes built.

Croudace are currently building 254 new homes on land south of Welwyn Road.

Land to the north of Welwyn Road, known as Archers Spring, is expected to provide a further 300 homes. There has not yet been a planning application for the site but a basic planning framework has been proposed.

These two sites together will see 28 hectares of land removed from the green belt.

Bengeo

Land to the north of Bengeo between Sacombe Road and Wadesmill Road is allocated for 150 new homes, with around 50 already under construction on the site of the former Bengeo Nursery.

This site sees 9 hectares of land removed from the green belt.

Mangrove Road

A further 68 new homes are to be built on land west of Mangrove Road by Cala Homes after planning permission was granted in June 2021. 

The development will consist of 17 flats and 51 houses, with 27 of the homes being affordable.

Windfall

The 15-year plan also anticipates what is called "windfall development". This is housebuilding (typically on previously developed sites) that does not fall in to the designated areas. Examples of windfall development include Tamworth Road, where 49 homes are being built on land that was previously used for business purposes; new apartments at Lancaster House on the corner of Pegs Lane and Hale Road, and 98 flats in the town centre at Bircherley Green.

A small number of new homes are also being built at Bridge House Mews opposite Hertford North station, whilst a new terrace has recently been completely in Bengeo Street next to The Greyhound public house.