Delay on St Albans District Plan
Thursday 27th November, 2003
New Government regulations have forced consultation into the St Albans planning blueprint, the District Plan, to be put back for a year.
A major consultation document on the Second Review of the District Plan was prepared in September to go out for public comment before the end of this year.
But new Government guidelines have led to fears that if it is not put back, it could be necessary to go through the whole process again. So reluctantly the district council has decided to delay it until later next year.
A wide range of important issues are discussed in the consultation document including the number of new homes to be built, the location of future housing sites, possible changes to Green Belt boundaries and shopping development in the city centre.
Protests have already been building about some of the proposals incorporated in the draft plan including the possibility of a major new development at Park Street roundabout.
And Nicholas Breakspear School's controversial plan to give over the footprint of their existing building for housing in return for a new school would also have been treated as part of the consultation into the District Plan.
Planning portfolio holder Cllr Chris Whiteside said local authorities had been aware of a new Planning Bill which would be going through Parliament but were told to carry on updating their Local Plans regardless.
The Government was even offering financial incentives in the shape of a planning delivery grant to keep the work up to date.
But around four weeks ago, the Government published its draft transitional arrangements which local authorities have no option other than to comply with.
It soon became clear the St Albans Plan did not meet some of the new requirements on several issues such as drawing up an environmental sustainability strategy and consulting with stakeholders.
In the meantime there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the prospect of new Government housebuilding targets which could see St Albans forced to build so many new homes it would be the equivalent of a new town the size of Harpenden in the district.
Herts County Council in its response to the targets has warned that even at the lowest figure for new homes in the county, substantial greenfield and Green Belt sites would be lost.
Cllr Chris Whiteside, said this week: "It is with enormous regret that we have said we will have to pull the consultation. I have had to write more than 50 letters already saying I am really sorry but we were about to have consultation on this but unfortunately now there is going to be nothing for about a year. It is an appalling position to be put in."
On the positive side, he pointed out that going out to consultation with a clearer view of the Government's new house-building requirements might avoid frightening people fearful that land close to them might have to be released.
He added: "We are going to make the best of the situation and one aspect is that we will have a better idea of where we stand by the time we do consult.