Residents asked to help shape Dacorum (From Watford Observer)

Residents asked to help shape Dacorum

1:16pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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Residents in Kings Langley and Bovingdon are being asked for their views on how the borough should change and grow in the next 20 years.

A consultation which started this week will help Dacorum Borough Council decide where to put at least 9,000 new homes and gypsy and traveller sites by 2031.

New jobs, the borough’s countryside and heritage and climate change are also considered in the documents.

Councillor Ian Reay, Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Holder said: “This consultation will shape the future landscape of our borough and I would urge all residents to take part.

“Although we have no choice about the level of development we do have choices as to how and where this should be accommodated.”

He added: “The council faces the difficult task of weighing up our desire to protect our green spaces with demands for housing.

“We want to make sure that whatever solution we arrive at for the future is going to be sustainable and one that meets the needs of Dacorum and its residents.

“Residents' opinions are vital in helping us make the right decision.”

The total number of new homes the borough will need to provide is currently uncertain as the overall housing figure contained in the East of England Plan has recently been challenged in the High Court.

As a result the focus of the consultation is on accommodating 9,000 homes rather than a previous allocation of 17,000 by 2031 – with 6,500 of these proposed for Hemel Hempstead town.

Drop in sessions have been arranged across Dacorum for the public to ask any questions they may have concerning the consultation.

These include: Bovingdon Memorial Hall, High Street, on Wednesday July 15 from 2pm to 9pm and Kings Langley Community Centre, The Nap, on Friday July 17 between 1pm and 9pm.

Residents' comments are welcome until August 28 2009 with a decision expected in early 2010. For more information visit www.dacorum.gov.uk/planning.