High streets could become a place where shops, businesses and homes sit side by side, according to a business leader.

Hertfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) executive director Neil Hayes commented on the use of land during a discussion on the progress of the LEP, at the county council’s impact of scrutiny advisory committee on Friday (December 7).

Now that land is increasingly being prioritised for housebuilding, space that could be used for employment is being lost.

But at the meeting Mr Hayes alluded to the possibility of high streets becoming home to businesses too.

And he said a mix of housing, business and retail could make areas more sustainable in the longer term.

“The question isn’t about how do we have ‘more’ employment land – it’s what employment land is relevant for the future,” he said.

“There’s a discussion about retail shrinking – and we are not going to get that back. Much as places want to recreate it, that level of demand is simply not there.”

During the meeting Mr Hayes highlighted the impact the LEP had already had on businesses and employment in the county.

He pointed to the ongoing work to develop the industrial strategy, which is due to go out for public consultation next year.

And he highlighted the State of the Economy event on November 30, where a business survey was launched to look at the “key drivers for productivity” in the county.

Since its launch the LEP has invested in the Hertfordshire Growth Hub, which has delivered free and impartial advice to more than 5,000 small and medium sized businesses.

Its investments have included £10 million in laboratory and start-up spaces and £1.8 million to create the Ambitious Broxbourne Business Centre, in Hoddesdon.

And it has facilitated £16 million of projects funded by the European Regional Development Fund, including advice projects for manufacturers and for start-ups, a seven-day coaching programme for SMEs, fitting out lab spaces  and an exporting project.

Meanwhile it has also helped Visit Herts to support SMEs in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

The LEP was considered by the committee following a county council ‘topic group’ that focused on the progress of the LEP in May.