Issue - meetings

1.   That the Draft Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document be approved for public consultation;

2.    That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure and Assistant Director, Planning, Development & Regeneration to agree the timing of the public consultation on the Draft Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document.

Decision

1.   That the Draft Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document be approved for public consultation;

2.    That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure and Assistant Director, Planning, Development & Regeneration to agree the timing of the public consultation on the Draft Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document.

Corporate objectives

The DSDG design standards for new development will support the following objectives:

•    A clean, safe and enjoyable environment: e.g. design principles that include promoting walkable neighbourhoods, accessible green infrastructure and prioritising pedestrians.

•    Building strong and vibrant communities: e.g. including design principles providing a mix of uses and range of housing types and tenures integrated within neighbourhoods.  

•    Ensuring economic growth and prosperity: e.g. including design principles that promote contemporary, sustainably designed employment areas.

•    Providing good quality affordable homes: e.g. including design principles to promote a range of tenures and housing typologies that meet all socio-economic needs and  conform to best practice space, quality and sustainability standards.

Deputy Monitoring Officer:  

There is a requirement for public participation prior to the adoption of a SPD by a local planning authority as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. 

Deputy S.151 Officer

There are no financial implications of this report.

Advice

Councillor G Sutton introduced the report to members and said this was an exciting document which sets out the council’s vision for the future. It sets out the strategy for ensuring future developments provide a vibrant, happy and healthy environment. This ties in with the previous report on climate change because it gives the opportunity to create buildings and properties that fit within the environmental aims the council wants to achieve.

J Doe added that the report had been to the Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and their views have been embedded into the report. The document focusses on strategic sites as there is some large growth coming to Dacorum to give developers the appropriate tools to create developments in line with standards and style the council would like to see in Dacorum, dependant on the location. A more specific design guide will be coming forward soon for smaller sites. This project has been done in conjunction with St Albans District Council and the Hertfordshire LEP because it will be used by St Albans for development in their district and also covers large areas of employment land being considered on the Crown Estate land in East Hemel Hempstead. The recommendation asks Cabinet to approve the document to go out to public consultation. The consultation requires documents to be available to view at The Forum and other sites for public inspection so the consultation will need to be arranged for when these sites reopen.

Recommendations agreed.