The South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) will provide a long-term development framework for the area up to 2050. The JSP covers five council areas including Dacorum Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Three Rivers District Council, Hertsmere Borough Council and Watford Borough Council.
They are currently consulting on the ‘Realising Our Potential’ document, which is their first formal consultation for the Joint Strategic Plan and is a Vision for South West Herts.
They are asking for feedback on a draft vision and objectives for the area and for views on some very high level growth types that they could consider. Comments will inform the JSP and help set priorities with the aim to engender long term commitment to positive change.
The Realising our Potential document outlines that; The objectives that are set today will shape the lives of generations to come. And this is where it starts:
- Living green in a healthy natural environment
- Growing opportunities to work locally
- Living in healthy, thriving local communities;
- Moving easily in well connected places
- Building homes and places that people are proud of
- Delivering robust and sustainable infrastructure
They are not asking about specific development sites, or asking for views on housing or jobs numbers at this early stage in the plan preparation process and the consultation closes on 4th November 2022 at 5pm.
The JSP will consider and address issues that cross council boundaries, setting a strategic vision for the whole area. It will also help guide future Local Plans, providing high-level policies on topics such as climate change, infrastructure, environmental protection, employment, and housing.
By working together, the Councils are confident they will be in a stronger position to deliver, and better fund, essential local transport links, health services and educational facilities that local people want to see. Given that many of the Hertfordshire Local Plans are in a current state of disarray, we are hopeful that the document will help to make headway.
While each Council will still be responsible for preparing its own Local Plan, the JSP is a critical stage in the Local Plan making process across South West Hertfordshire, setting the strategic framework for shared priorities within which individual Local Plans can be prepared.
The consultation presents an opportunity to influence the strategic direction of planning and development in South West Hertfordshire. Get in touch for more information about how this may affect your applications and for advice on the best way to comment.
