Responding to central government's announcements on planning reforms

We have responded to the government's announcements on Tuesday (30 July) on planning reforms and new housing need numbers.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, commented: "Here in Hertsmere, we pledge to play our part in this ambitious national mission to build more homes to ensure local people's housing needs are met whilst protecting as much of our green belt as possible. I've already had positive conversations with our new government to ensure they fully understand our particular local circumstances here in Hertsmere."

We published a Draft Local Plan for consultation in April this year already featuring many of the new requirements, balancing new housing and infrastructure with environmental protection to deliver a sustainable future.

Our Planning Policy team and Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Transport, Cllr Nik Oakley, is now reviewing that draft to assess the implications of the proposed changes, which includes an updated housing need number of 959 new homes per year - up from 731 - which has now been provided by central government following Tuesday's announcement.

Key to our focus will be identifying opportunities to develop on 'grey belt' land to meet local housing needs. This is land that is classified as including previously developed land, and land that makes a limited contribution to protecting the countryside or the character of historic towns.

Cllr Nik Oakley, added: "We must meet the challenges of delivering the decent and affordable homes that our communities and future generations need and deserve, whilst doing all we can to preserve the rural nature of our countryside."

Posted on Friday 2nd August 2024