Baroness Thornhill asked where 800 new homes a year may be completed every year in Watford to meet the Government’s target figure?

The question is simple; the answer is not. Some may be tempted to argue that 800 is too many, unrealistic, beyond our capabilities. Such arguments have already been made and rejected for towns across England.

Anticipating the effect of top down planning, the five councils consisting of Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers and Watford are preparing a Joint Strategic Plan for this half of the county. And by doing so are complying with the ‘Duty to Co-operate’ placed upon them. Which in plain English means either providing in Watford’s case 800 new homes a year or through the means of this Joint Strategic Plan ensuring part or all of this provision is made in the other four districts. The plan has to complement the restraint of the green belt by identifying areas where the required housing may be provided. And everything else that this volume of new homes needs.

The plan preparation had been underway for two years when the Government’s planning reforms came into sight last summer. Suggesting amongst other things abandoning the duty to co-operate, and simplifying the local plans so that all land would be zoned for growth, protection or regeneration. We await the publication of the planning bill in Parliament later this year. To see what ideas have been rejected, or taken forward or altered.

So where does this leave Watford? I suggest in the same position that it is in today. With any shortfall in delivering 800 new homes a year being fertile ground for making planning appeals when proposals are rejected.

Gone are the days of ‘Open Source’ planning launched back in 2010 when regional and sub regional plans imposing housing targets were abandoned so that local people could take local decisions effecting their towns. We have come full circle. To make progress we have to travel in a straight line, not a circle.

Roger Pidgeon

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