Policy information sourced from the East Herts District Plan

HERT3 West of Hertford

Land to the west of Hertford is allocated as a residential site, to accommodate a minimum of 550 homes by 2022, with around 300 homes being provided to the north of Welwyn Road and around 250 homes south of Welwyn Road/west of Thieves Lane.

A Masterplan will be collaboratively prepared, involving site promoters, landowners, East Herts Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertford Town Council, and other key stakeholders. This document will further be informed by public participation in the process.

The development of around 300 dwellings to the north of Welwyn Road is expected to address the following provisions and issues:

  • a range of dwelling type and mix, in accordance with the provisions of Policy HOU1 (Type and Mix of Housing);
  • Affordable Housing in accordance with Policy HOU3 (Affordable Housing);
  • Self-Build and Custom Build Housing in accordance with Policy HOU8 (Self-Build and Custom Build Housing);
  • demonstration of the extent of the mineral that may be present and the likelihood of prior extraction in an environmentally acceptable way has been fully considered. As a minimum, an assessment of the depth and quality of mineral, together with an appraisal of the consequential viability for prior extraction without prejudicing the delivery of housing within the plan period should be provided;
  • necessary new utilities, including, inter alia: integrated communications infrastructure to facilitate home working, and necessary upgrades to the sewerage system;
  • sustainable drainage and provision for flood mitigation;
  • access arrangements and appropriate local (with contributions towards wider, strategic) highways mitigation measures;
  • encouragement of sustainable transport measures, both through improvements to the existing walking, cycling and bridleway networks in the locality and through new provision, which should also provide links with the adjoining area and the town centre (which should include, inter alia, the improvement of pedestrian and cycle access to Perrett Gardens and links from the Sele Farm estate to public footpaths and bridleways in the locality); shared use cycle/pedestrian way alongside Welwyn Road; enhanced passenger transport services (including, inter alia, improved service provision and the provision of new bus stops and shelters on B1000 Welwyn Road);
  • protection of public rights of way and other public access routes running through or on the boundaries of the site;
  • landscaping and planting, both within the site and peripheral, which responds to the existing landscape and complements development, as appropriate, including the provision of a suitable buffer between the development and existing woodland areas and a defined, recognisable boundary to the Green Belt;
  • public open spaces across the site, including the provision of play areas and opportunities for outdoor health and fitness activities, as well as space for wildlife;
  • quality local green infrastructure through the site including opportunities for preserving and enhancing on-site assets, maximising opportunities to link into existing assets and enhance biodiversity including the protection of Local Wildlife Site 59/077; Archers Spring; and other woodland and wildlife interests in the area, including a suitable buffer between woodland and development;
  • taking into account the contents of the ‘Panshanger Park and its environs Heritage Impact Assessment, July 2016’ and including measures to ensure that any impact on views affecting the Panshanger Country Park and Goldings are successfully mitigated;
  • contributions towards the Panshanger Country Park;
  • social infrastructure including contributions towards education, health services and other community facilities;
  • the delivery of all other necessary on-site and appropriate off-site infrastructure; and
  • other policy provisions of the District Plan and relevant matters, as appropriate.

The development of around 250 homes to the south of Welwyn Road/west of Thieves Lane is expected to address the following provisions and issues:

  • a range of dwelling type and mix, in accordance with the provisions of Policy HOU1 (Type and Mix of Housing);
  • Affordable Housing in accordance with Policy HOU3 (Affordable Housing);
  • Self-Build and Custom Build Housing in accordance with Policy HOU8 (Self-Build and Custom Build Housing);
  • demonstration of the extent of the mineral that may be present and the likelihood of prior extraction in an environmentally acceptable way has been fully considered. As a minimum, an assessment of the depth and quality of mineral, together with an appraisal of the consequential viability for prior extraction without prejudicing the delivery of housing within the plan period should be provided;
  • necessary new utilities infrastructure including, inter alia: integrated communications infrastructure to facilitate home working, and necessary upgrades to the sewerage system;
  • sustainable drainage and provision for flood mitigation;
  • access arrangements and appropriate local (with contributions towards wider, strategic) highways mitigation measures;
  • encouragement of sustainable transport measures, both through improvements to the existing walking, cycling and bridleway networks in the locality and through new provision, which should also provide links with the adjoining area and the town centre; shared use cycle/pedestrian way alongside Welwyn Road; enhanced passenger transport services (including, inter alia, improved service provision and the provision of new bus stops and shelters on B1000 Welwyn Road);
  • protection of all public rights of way and other public access routes running through or on the boundaries of the site;
  • landscaping and planting, both within the site and peripheral, which responds to the existing landscape and complements development, as appropriate, including, inter alia, the provision of a suitable buffer between the development and the existing woodland and a defined, recognisable boundary to the Green Belt;
  • taking into account the contents of the ‘Panshanger Park and its environs Heritage Impact Assessment, July 2016’ and including measures to ensure that development respects the relationship with this sensitive location. Such measures should include, inter alia, the creation of gateway landscaping to the south of the site, which protects key views into and from within the Panshanger Country Park and ensures that the development is successfully mitigated;
  • contributions towards the Panshanger Country Park;
  • public open spaces across the site, including the provision of play areas and opportunities for outdoor health and fitness activities, as well as space for wildlife;
  • quality local green infrastructure through the site including opportunities for preserving and enhancing on-site assets, maximising opportunities to link into existing assets and enhance biodiversity including the protection of Local Wildlife Site 58/025; Ancient and other woodland and wildlife interests in the area, including a suitable buffer between woodland and development;
  • the delivery of all other necessary on-site and appropriate off-site infrastructure; and
  • other policy provisions of the District Plan and relevant matters, as appropriate.

For more information please see the District Plan