Agenda item

1. That the Hemel Garden Communities Charter, with the proposed amendments as outlined in this report is endorsed.

2. That progress on submission on the Garden Communities Prospectus bid is noted.  

 Decision

1. That the Hemel Garden Communities Charter, with the proposed amendments as outlined in this report is endorsed.

2. That progress on submission on the Garden Communities Prospectus bid is noted.  

Corporate objectives

The proposals for major development at north and east Hemel Hempstead through the Hemel garden Communities proposals are wide-ranging and relate to all corporate objectives.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer comments

Monitoring Officer:  

The report makes it clear that approval by Cabinet does not designate the land for development.  Formal designation can only be done through the Local Plan process once all statutory processes have been completed including full consultation on the proposals.  Approval of the draft plan will also need to be agreed by full Council at the relevant time.

Deputy S.151 Officer

No further comments to add.

Advice

Councillor G Sutton introduced the item. This report was for Cabinet to approve the Charter which had been submitted to the MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) on 8 November. He thanked James Doe and his team for their hard work and professionalism.

J Doe said the site was split between DBC and St Albans District Council and the St Albans Local Plan is more advanced than Dacorum’s at the moment. They are publishing their plan for consultation in September and DBC are yet to decide on the draft plan. The proposal will be thoroughly tested through the rigor of the local plan process and the technical aspects will analyse its suitability. The council submitted their bid for funding last week, asking for £3.5 million over five years.

N Bateman said the bid covers a range of studies set out in the report. The majority of the bid regards staffing over this five year period.

Councillor Birnie asked if this bid was available to see.

J Doe said it wasn’t on the website as it is a long technical document but it is in the public domain so can be distributed to councillors.

Councillor Birnie asked about the request from the Crown Estate for the design element – does this cover both sides of the boundary.

J Doe said yes, it will help with the overall masterplan.

Councillor Williams said this was a joint bid with St Albans

Councillor Birnie asked about the CIL figures being used for a primary school in St Albans.

J Doe said there was a report going to SPAE OSC regarding the annual CIL figures. The council have no say on delivering schools through s.106 agreements. It is expected that the developer would provide funds for schools.

Councillor Harden said he welcomed the new country parks. He referred to page 87 and asked if SANGS was the official title or if they were not yet designated.

J Doe said it was to recognise this development will have a significant impact on the public’s use of the countryside

Councillor Harden asked to confirm if this area would need to be re-designated under the local plan.

J Doe said yes. The majority of the land is in private ownership. The Crown Estate owns about 70-80% and it will be brought into public ownership for public enjoyment.

Councillor Douris asked if the properties would have suitable sized gardens so this is why there is a prominence of local open spaces.

J Doe said the charter was about creating attractive places to live. The masterplan will decide on the layout of the development. Both councils have to be mindful of what housing is going to look like in the future. The intention is to make it green and enjoyable.

N Bateman said the totality of the space is 873 hectres and 430 of this will be green space.

Voting

None.