Agenda item

SWhelan presented the framework, first noting the work on Tring and Berkhamsted, advising that both now have a narrative set in place with engagements started with communities in autumn 2022. Tring has started a steering group that has met 3 times and DSoutham has met with Berkhamsted to look at next steps. SWhelan noted the connecting of communities across the borough with all 3 areas highlighting that working together and connecting the communities will benefit them all.

SWhelan apologised for the town vision document not being included on the agenda and acknowledged that members would need further time to go through this. This is a draft document and is not intended to to go Cabinet until summer, and SWhelan suggested that this item come back to SPAE in June or via a separate briefing in the coming weeks.

SWhelan advised that the town centre vision is aimed at land owners and investors and that there will be opportunities to rephrase this to consider other audiences. The partnership approach is critical and is highlighted early on in the vision as it is a huge strength that investors can invest in a place where there is civic pride and a strong network of businesses. The three main themes of the vision are on businesses, connections and wellbeing, and these follow through into the wider strategy. There is a focus on the pedestrian connections and curating the public spaces, and there are 8 aims around the vision that are deliverable through partnership by focusing on investment and regeneration opportunities. The drivers for change include a lack of sustainable transport, oversupply of retail, lack of culture and leisure facilities, a decrease in employment and reduced footfall.

SWhelan noted the analysis for both sections of the town centre to consider main cycling routes, retail spaces and which areas can be diversified. The history of Hemel Hempstead is also included within the vision to help increase the civic pride and ownership within the community, and being 75 years old, some areas will require renewal and investment. 5 priorities for Hemel Town Centre have been laid out as (1) making Bank Court the heart the town centre, (2) improve east-west connections, (3) reimagine Waterhouse Street, (4) reconnect the Old Town and New Town, and (5) the Hemel Imaginarium project to focus on meanwhile usage. Zones for opportunities have also been identified for when funding comes in and will have a partnership approach.

On the next steps, SWhelan explained that they are working with the third and private sector to think imaginatively about funding opportunities and resources. The work in progress items around quotes will be completed and the document will be taken to UKREiiF before coming back to SPAE in June, before going to Cabinet in July to ratify the document. Work will also commence with the Hemel Place Board on action plans.

The Chair asked if the Council should be promoting themselves as Hemel or Hemel Hempstead. SWhelan confirmed that they had looked into this and that the resulting conclusion was Hemel Hempstead to external audiences and Hemel for internal audiences. JDoe agreed that it's an important distinction.

JDoe commented on the challenges facing all town centres and noted that this requires a fresh approach to setting their aspirations for Hemel Town Centre. JDoe explained that this is an overarching vision where further levels of detail can be added and he reminded members that they are looking to promote Hemel Hempstead as an investment location as they are reliant on attracting ambitious investment into the area. Contacts made at UKREiiF last year were very promising and this year they are able to take the document with them.

DSoutham acknowledged the work that SWhelan has put into the document and noted that it is a document that developers and investors will want to see. DSoutham advised that they are not just looking at new inward investors but also existing landowners and encouraging them to stay in the area. DBC doesn't own much land in the town centre and the focus needs to be on promoting what they do have.

The Chair noted the agenda item was Hemel Town Centre Framework. SWhelan confirmed that the title of the document is the Hemel Town Centre Vision.

Cllr Beauchamp congratulated SWhelan and JDoe on their work on the vision and commended the thought process that went into create the document. The town is transitioning from being a retail centre into an experience centre and this is the model that most towns are following. Cllr Beauchamp noted the Japanese company that have taken over Hamilton House with the aim to create a community within the unit and Hemel Town Centre. Cllr Beauchamp commented on the town's potential and that it was positive to see DBC ahead of the game.

Cllr Timmis congratulated the team on their hard work and asked what relation the document bears to the new Local Plan in terms of numbers of houses, etc., noting that they are yet to be consulted on the new Local Plan. SWhelan advised that this is a different way of working and is separate to the Local Plan and planning process that allow the place strategies to be broader than what would be seen in the Local Plan or design code. The place approach for an area may focus on community groups or regeneration opportunities and is much broader than a planning piece, and the vision won't have the same level of detail, such as how many homes there will be or how many schools or parking spaces are required. The vision has helped to define what the Local Plan can look at in the town centre, though the vision is owned by the place of that town centre.

Cllr Timmis suggested that investors and developers may be pressurising for the maximum amount that they can get out of it, which may not work alongside the general plan of how the place should work. SWhelan acknowledged this and explained that the vision sets out to engage with landowners and investors to demonstrate that it is a town centre to invest in. JDoe added that the vision is not a planning supplementary document nor a design code or master plan, and it will influence the Council's thinking on what goes into the Local Plan, though this will come back to members after the elections when work has progressed further. JDoe advised that the recommendation for the document is that it's visionary, ambitious as well as open to suggestions, and any regeneration will be safeguarded by the planning process.

Cllr England commended the document and asked to discuss the green connection into the town further. Cllr England suggested that the east-west visibility of opening up Waterhouse Street doesn't happen with the apertures available at the moment and that he would like to see Primark taken down. On the east-west connection, SWhelan stated that the urban analysis appendix sets out the new town architect and design pieces that are the best quality, noting that the front of Primark is wonderful, though the location of it with the narrow route either side is a challenge, as is the location of Bank Court. SWhelan commented that the challenge is a benefit around Bank Court as it provides a sense of enclosure and they will need freeholders to consider the frontages. SWhelan referred to St. Christopher's Place in St. Albans and in London that is very narrow with festoon lighting. SWhelan suggested that the east-west connections aren't that narrow and could be temporarily dressed with installations to make the area as attractive as possible.

Cllr England suggested that taking this approach would act as a hint to freeholders. SWhelan stated that this should help inspire freeholders and leaseholders to consider other opportunities.

On cycling, SWhelan noted that the vision doesn't have the level of detail on where cycle routes should be though does follow the town centre master plan from 7-8 years ago that did include key cycle routes. SWhelan noted that the route goes parallel to the Marlowes to keep the Marlowes parade cycle-free, and explained that a separate cycle and walking implementation plan is also being formulated, which will be key to identifying where cycle routes should be. Feasibility work is also being done around bike hire schemes.

The Chair commented on the plans around Bank Court and asked if Barclays have been informed that they want to place a restaurant on the site. SWhelan advised that the plans need to be taken out to freeholders so they can understand their current appetite and when leases are up for renewal. SWhelan noted that the team is very small at present, though they are identifying early priorities.

Cllr England suggested that Bank Court be renamed Riverbank Court. SWhelan commented on the importance of history and being authentic to a place's history.

Cllr England noted the murals and sculptures around Hemel and suggested that people should be taken on a tour of these sites. SWhelan advised that one of the first actions they will take this year is using the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to have a meanwhile uses strategy, which will involve a number of partners outside of the Council, and ideas such as a heritage trail have already come out strongly.

Cllr England commented on having a locality budget and being able to use some to move the lamppost that was put in front of one of the murals.

The Chair referred to the artist's impression feature of Hemel, stating that it looks too busy. The Chair also commented on the consultation feedback and suggested that the word clouds don't work, noting that it currently puts 'eat children' together and it also mentions Watford within the cloud. SWhelan stated that the appendix requires the most work and that it has been updated since it was included in the appendix. SWhelan confirmed that they are using AI technology to group the analysis together in a better way and confirmed that it would undergo further work.

The Chair commended the work and enthusiasm from the team around putting Hemel Hempstead on the map and being able to take the vision to UKREiiF.

The Committee noted the report.