Industrial estate redevelopment approved

Plans to redevelop a run down industrial estate were granted planning permission at a meeting of the district council's Development Management Committee on Wednesday (5th April).

The proposals for Hertford Industrial estate on Caxton Hill, which include 34 new units of varying sizes, vehicle parking, ancillary structures and landscaping, were approved unanimously by the committee.

The redeveloped estate will be accessed from John Tate Road and the A414 London Road, replacing Caxton Hill as the main access. A barrier will prohibit vehicular access from Caxton Hill and prevent rat running. The adjacent Fluorocarbon buildings will continue to be served by Caxton Hill.

There were 9 written objections to the plans, along with 33 supporting the redeveloment. The objections were based on traffic and parking issues.

The estate was originally built in the 1930s and 1950s on a former gravel pit. Demolition of the original buildings has already begun and is almost complete.

Speaker at the Development Management Committee meeting, Cllr Jan Goodeve, in whose ward the estate is located, said: "I'm in full support of the opportunity to regenerate Hertford Industrial Estate. At a time when commercial space is being lost across Hertfordshire I'm pleased that it's proposed that this area will not only remain as business space but that it will provide around 340 jobs, in an area so close to the town centre, no doubt resulting in local businesses benefitting from increased footfall and B2B opportunities.

"Whilst refurbishment is always the preferred option to minimise the carbon impact of construction, the buildings required demolition to bring the new high-quality units up to modern energy efficiency standards. The CO2 emissions saved each year from the new units far outweighs those of keeping the original neglected structures .

"The biodiversity gains of the new landscaping exceeded our local policy and would also bring benefits to the employees and local residents.
 
"The developers have listened closely to local concerns and by purchasing more land they have altered the primary access route to the units, alleviating traffic pressures on Caxton Hill and Ware Road. 

"They engaged with both Hertford Civic Society and Hertford Town Council as well as the local community.

"The buildings had effectively been derelict for many years and this is a great opportunity for our town to benefit from substantial investment. The regeneration proposal demonstrates the value of adopting a local district plan. We have been able to ensure the site's designation has been kept for employment and been able to resist proposals for residential development, thus ensuring local people will have the opportunity to work locally."

Hertford Industrial Estate is one of a number of areas designated for employment use in the 2018 District Plan. Others include Foxholes Business Park, Hartham Lane, parts of Mead Lane, Mimram Road, Warehams Lane and the Windsor Industrial Estate in Ware Road.