New Local Plan - Evidence Base

This page contains all of the evidence base studies. The council has commissioned and carried out a variety of studies in order to inform the evidence base for the Local Development Framework. These are technical studies which inform Local Development Framework and policy.

Evidence Base Studies

Housing:

Strategic Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA):
The SHELAA is a study to quantify the future supply of housing and employment land in line with the national Planning Practice Guidance and provides an up-to-date assessment of land supply in the District, and helps to ensure that sufficient land is identified for new housing and employment uses for the Plan period. It contains detailed site assessments of all sites. The methodology used by TRDC was aligned with the Sustainability Appraisal Framework (See Sustainability Assessment and Sustainability Environmental Assessments) at a level appropriate to the early consideration of site options.

Strategic Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) (pdf)

Strategic Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) Addendum 2023 (pdf)

The SHELAA includes the following appendices:
Appendix 1 Sites with planning permission and prior approval on 31 March 2020 (pdf)
Appendix 2 Call for Sites Submission Form (pdf)
Appendix 3 Site Assessment Proforma (pdf)
Appendix 4 Settlement Hierarchy (Core Strategy, 2011) (pdf)
Appendix 5 List of all sites considered (pdf)
Appendix 6a – All Sites District Map (pdf)
Appendix 6b-6o – All Sites Settlement Maps (pdf)

Appendices 7a – 7j provide the detailed site assessments for all sites considered:.

Urban Capacity Study (August 2020):
Desktop assessment of urban settlements to identify urban sites. Sites which are assessed as being suitable through a preliminary assessment are then included in the SHELAA
Urban Capacity Study August 2020 (pdf)

Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study (March 2020):
The Study seeks first to identify potential locations at the edge of existing settlements which have not so far been considered in the SHELAA. Secondly, the Study seeks to identify potential locations away from the existing settlements which could accommodate a new settlement should insufficient urban, edge of settlement sites be identified.
Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study March 2020 (pdf)

South West Hertfordshire Local Housing Needs Assessment (2020) (LHNA):
The purpose of the LHNA is to assess future development needs for housing across South West Hertfordshire. It considers the need for different types of housing, and the housing needs of different groups within the South West Hertfordshire Housing Market Area (HMA) and constituent authorities.
South West Hertfordshire Local Housing Needs Assessment 2020 (pdf)

South West Herts Economic Study (2019):
Provides an understanding of the functional economic market area and relevant policy context; an objective assessment of long term employment land and premises needs over the plan period, and the current and future supply of employment land; and possible local authority planning and strategic economic development responses, including the quantum, location and type of jobs and land use allocations required to meet these identified needs.
South West Herts Economic Study 2019 (pdf)

South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study (2018):
Provides an objective assessment of retail and leisure development needs, together with a clear understanding of retail and leisure provision and possible strategic responses. Leisure in this case refers to bars, cafes, cinemas, nightclubs, take-aways, hotels, public houses and restaurants.
South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study (2018) Part 1 (pdf)
South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study (2018) Part 2 (pdf)
South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study (2018) Part 3 (pdf)
South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study (2018) Part 4 (pdf)

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (2017):
Provides an assessment of current and future need for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation in Three Rivers.
Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2017 (pdf)

South West Hertfordshire Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2019):
Provides the following:

an appraisal of all potential sources of flooding, including Main River, ordinary watercourse, surface water, groundwater and sewer flooding.
Updated review of historic flooding incidents
Mapping of location and extent of functional floodplain.
Reporting on the standard of protection provided by existing flood risk management infrastructure
An assessment of the potential increase in flood risk due to climate change.
Areas at risk from other sources of flooding, for example surface water or reservoir.
Recommendations of the criteria that should be used to assess future development proposals and the development of a Sequential Test and sequential approach to flood risk.
High level screening of sites against fluvial and surface water flood risk.

Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessments are high-level strategic documents and, therefore do not go into detail on an individual site-specific basis. This Strategic Flood Risk Assessment is intended to assist in application of the Sequential Test for site allocations and identify where the application of the Exception Test may be required within a Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
South West Hertfordshire Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2019): (pdf)

Includes the following Appendices:
Appendix A Geo Flood Map North
Appendix A Geo Flood Map North (pdf)

Appendix A Geo Flood Map South
Appendix A Geo Flood Map South (pdf)
(Appendix A are Interactive Maps and need to be opened in PDF. You can click in the tick boxes in the Legend to see the different layers of flood mapping)

Appendix B Site Screening Spreadsheet
Appendix B Site Screening Spreadsheet (pdf)

Appendix C Understanding Flood Risk in Three Rivers
Appendix C Understanding Flood Risk in Three Rivers (pdf)

Appendix D Catchment Level Assessment of Cumulative Impacts of Flood Risk
Appendix D Catchment Level Assessment of Cumulative Impacts on Flood Risk (pdf)
All of the sites identified through this study were subject to a screening assessment of their flood risk and any that were identified were included in the Level 2 SFRA. (Appendix B)

Three Rivers District Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Draft) & Three Rivers Level 2 SFRA Addendum (Draft):
As reported to the LPSC on 27 August 2020 further modelling work is required in relation to potential climate change assumptions around the Upper Colne area. This is unlikely to affect the recommendations of the Level 2 study and Addendum but they cannot be finalised until this work has been approved by the Environment Agency.

The Level 1 SFRA identified that Level 2 SFRA assessments were required at a number of sites in Three Rivers District. Level 2 assessments should be undertaken at all sites which have been identified as ‘at risk’ and which may be carried forward in the Local Plan. The aim of the Level 2 assessments is to provide evidence to help determine whether or not the Exception Test as set out in Planning Guidance could be passed, i.e. development could be achieved safely, for sites that have been found to be at flood risk by the Level 1 assessment.

The Level Two assessment includes detailed assessments of the potential site allocations. These include:

An assessment of the highest risk flooding mechanism (or way in which flooding occurs) and most likely flooding source (or type of flooding) for each site.
An assessment of all sources of flooding including fluvial flooding, surface water flooding, groundwater flooding, reservoir flooding, mapping of the functional floodplain and the potential increase in fluvial and surface water flood risk due to climate change.
An assessment of existing flood warnings at the sites, including whether there is safe access and egress during an extreme event.
Advice and recommendations on the likely suitability of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for managing surface water runoff.

Three Rivers District Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Draft) (pdf)

Includes the following Appendices:

Appendix A Site Summary Sheets
Appendix A Site Summary Sheets (pdf)

Appendix B Site Summary Maps
Appendix B Site Summary Maps Part 1 (pdf)

Appendix B Site Summary Maps Part 2 (pdf)

Appendix B Site Summary Maps Part 3 (pdf)

Appendix C Blockage Maps
Appendix C Blockage Maps (pdf)

Appendix D Breach Maps
Appendix D Breach Maps (pdf)

The Addendum provides an assessment on additional sites which were identified through the Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study, the Urban Capacity Study, and a review of refused and withdrawn application sites.
Three Rivers Level 2 SFRA Addendum (Draft) (pdf)

Includes the following Appendices:

Appendix A Site Summary Sheets
Appendix A Site Summary Sheets (pdf)

Appendix B Site Summary Maps
Appendix B Site Summary Maps (pdf)

Hertfordshire Water Study:

This is study on water infrastructure and resources in Hertfordshire, covering the 30-year period of 2021-2051. The primary objectives of the study are to identify how future growth is likely to affect water infrastructure systems, what changes are potentially needed to facilitate growth and how new systems could impact the environment. The secondary objective was to identify a range of options to meet local and strategic infrastructure needs, including a wider policy options. The results of the study are presented at the district level, sub-catchment level and regional level.

Hertfordshire Water Study 2017 (pdf)

Heritage Impact Assessments (2022):
This high level heritage assessment follows best practice procedures produced by Historic England and meets the requirements of heritage planning policy contained in Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
It provides an assessment of 120 Sites that were submitted as part of the Call for Sites exercises with regard to their impact upon the historic environment.
Heritage Impact Assessments (2022) (pdf)

Heritage Impact Assessment Addendum (2020):
An addendum to the 2019 assessment which provides an assessment on an additional 60 sites which were identified through the Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study, the Urban Capacity Study, a review of refused and withdrawn application sites and other sites that were put forward.
Heritage Impact Assessment Addendum (2020) (pdf)

Landscape Sensitivity Assessments (2019):
The study accords with best practice guidance/methodology and follows the techniques and criteria set out in ‘An approach to landscape sensitivity assessment – to inform spatial planning and land management1’ (Natural England, 2019). The Study is also consistent with the impact assessment guidance and methodology set out within the ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment2’ (Third Edition, 2013) (GLVIA3) and ‘An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment’. It provides a landscape sensitivity assessment of sites that were submitted as part of the Call for Sites exercises.
Landscape Sensitivity Assessments (2019) Part 1 (pdf)
Landscape Sensitivity Assessments (2019) Part 2 (pdf)

Landscape Sensitivity Assesments Addendum I (2020):
An addendum to the 2019 assessment which provides an assessment on an additional 42 sites which were identified through the Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study, the Urban Capacity Study and a review of refused and withdrawn application sites
Landscape Sensitivity Assessment Addendum Final 2020 (pdf)

Landscape Sensitivity Assessments Addendum II (2022):
An addendum to the 2019 and 2020 assessments which provides an assessment on an additional 18 sites which were proposed through the Local Plan Regulation 18 Preferred Policy Options and Sites for Potential Allocation Consultation 2021.
Landscape Sensitivity Assessment Addendum Final 2022 (pdf)

Outline Landscape Appraisals (2019):
The purpose of the Outline Landscape Appraisals Study is to supplement the Landscape Sensitivity Assessment with a more detailed evaluation of 13 strategic sites that could have potential to accommodate development within the Three Rivers District. The Study was undertaken to understand in more detail, the potential impact upon the landscape and how the landscape and its features limit the location of development within these sites.
Outline Landscape Appraisals (2019) (pdf)

Open Space Sport & Recreation Study (This title covers 7 separate documents that should be considered together):

This study includes the following:

Open Space Assessment Report (2019): provides detail with regard to what open space provision exists in the area, its condition, distribution and overall quality. It sets out the findings of the research, consultation, site assessments, data analysis and GIS mapping undertaken as part of the study. The study also considers the future requirements for provision based upon population distribution, planned growth and findings. Open spaces include Parks and gardens, Natural and semi-natural greenspaces, Amenity greenspace, Provision for children and young people, Allotments, Cemeteries and churchyards.
Open Space Assessment Report 2019 (pdf)

Open Space Standards Paper (2019): This document helps identify the deficiencies and surpluses in existing and future open space provision. In addition, it informs an approach to securing open space facilities through new housing development and help form the basis for negotiation with developers for contributions towards the provision of open spaces.
Open Space Standards Paper 2019 (pdf)
Indoor Leisure Facilities Needs Assessment (2019): Provides detail in respect of the indoor sports facilities in the District, their condition, location, availability and overall quality. It further considers demand for facilities based on population distribution, planned growth and takes into consideration health and socio-economic determinants. Indoor Leisure includes an assessment of the provision of sports halls, swimming pools, health and fitness provision, gymnastics, indoor bowls, squash courts and village/community halls.
Indoor Leisure Facilities Needs Assessment 2019 (pdf)

Leisure Facilities Strategy (2019): This sets out the key strategic recommendations, priorities and actions. It also provides a planning gain contribution toolkit the purpose of which is to ensure that planning gain contribution sought from an individual development is based on a tailored approach.
Leisure Facilities Strategy 2019 (pdf)

Playing Pitch Strategy Assessment Report (2019): this provides a supply and demand assessment of playing pitch and other outdoor sports facilities in Three Rivers in accordance with Sport England’s PPS Guidance. It looks at football, cricket, rugby, hockey, golf, bowls, tennis, netball and athletics.
Playing Pitch Strategy Assessment Report 2019 (pdf)

Playing Pitch Strategy and Action Plan (2019): This sets out sport specific issues and recommendations, strategic recommendations and an action plan.
Playing Pitch Strategy and Action Plan 2019 (pdf)

Playing Pitch Strategy Developer Contributions Toolkit: This is a step by step guide to securing developer contributions for playing pitch and outdoor sports facilities in Three Rivers.(As we are a CIL Charging Authority this can be used to inform spend on CIL).
Playing Pitch Strategy Developer Contributions Toolkit (pdf)

TCPA Report for Health
This is a summary for local health issues within the Three Rivers District.
TCPA Report for Health in Three Rivers (pdf)

Three Rivers District Council & Watford Borough Council Green Belt Review Strategic Analysis (Stage 1) (2017):
The Green Belt Review (Stage 1) is principally a strategic review of Green Belt purposes. It looked at 83 strategic parcels. It is complemented by an exploration of the character and role of villages within the Green Belt, drawing conclusions on the suitability for the continued and potential in-setting of villages within the Green Belt, as required by the NPPF.
Three Rivers District Council & Watford Borough Council Green Belt Review Strategic Analysis (Stage 1) (2017) (pdf)

Includes separate appendices B1 – B6 and C
Appendix B1: SW1-SW10 Parcel Analysis (pdf)
Appendix B2: NW1-NW14 Parcel Analysis (pdf)
Appendix B3: C1-C15 Parcel Analysis (pdf)
Appendix B4: N1-N16 Parcel Analysis (pdf)
Appendix B5: E1-E12 Parcel Analysis (pdf)
Appendix B6: S1-S17 Parcel Analysis (pdf)
Appendix C: Villages (pdf)

Stage 2 Green Belt Assessment for Three Rivers and Watford Borough (2019):

The Stage 2 Green Belt study considered the extent to which the release of different areas of land affects the contribution to the Green Belt purposes, through both the loss of openness of the released land and the resulting impact that this could have on the adjacent Green Belt. This process involved an assessment of the harm to Green Belt purposes of releasing land for development to facilitate the expansion of inset settlements (whether within, or close to the District and Borough) or of the village of Bedmond (which was identified in the Stage 1 Study as having potential to be inset into the Green Belt). Assessed 152 parcels of land.
Stage 2 Green Belt Assessment for Three Rivers and Watford Borough (2019) Part 1 (pdf)
Stage 2 Green Belt Assessment for Three Rivers and Watford Borough (2019) Part 2 (pdf)

Three Rivers District Council Green Belt Study Stage 3: New Settlement Analysis (2020):
The analysis presented in this report forms Stage 3 in the Green Belt assessment process: the identification of variations in harm to the Green Belt purposes that would result from the creation of a new inset settlement, distinct from any existing inset areas. As with the Stage 2 study, this assessment addresses harm to the Green Belt purposes, considering the contribution made to those purposes by land which would need to be released, together with the impact this would have on the contribution made by adjacent Green Belt land.
Three Rivers District Council Green Belt Study Stage 3: New Settlement Analysis (2020) (pdf)

Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA): (explanation)
The SA/SEA is done in stages during the preparation of the Local Plan. It provides a structured assessment of the Plan against key sustainability issues.
The final output of the process is a combined Sustainability Appraisal and SEA Environmental Report which meets the regulatory requirements for both SA and SEA and which will be published alongside the Draft Local Plan. The SA/SEA is done in stages of the Local Plan preparation.

Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report Update 2017:
Stage A of this process is referred to as the ‘scoping stage’. This stage identifies the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the final SA Report. It sets out the context, objectives and approach of the assessment and identifies relevant environmental, economic and social issues and objectives.
This Scoping Report was originally prepared in May 2017 in which the statutory consultation bodies (Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England) were consulted on the scope and level of detail for the information to be included in the SA Report. This consultation was also widened to include a larger number of interested stakeholders, to reflect the principles of TRDC’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) (adopted on 20th March 2017). This report was updated in July 2017 to take into account the responses received during the consultation period and new baseline information.
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report Update 2017 (pdf)

Sustainability Appraisal Working Note Issues & Options and Call for Sites (2017):
This Sustainability Appraisal Working Note was produced to accompany the Issues and Options and Call for Sites Consultation (2017) in order to provide an assessment of the likely environmental, social and economic effects of the various options being considered
Sustainability Appraisal Working Note Issues & Options and Call for Sites (2017) (pdf)

Sustainability Appraisal Working Note - Potential Sites for Consultation (October 2018)
This second SA Working Note was prepared to accompany the consultation on the Local Plan ‘Potential Sites for Consultation’ in October 2018 and provides a broad assessment of the sites that were included in the consultation document.
Sustainability Appraisal Working Note (October 2018) (pdf)

Sustainability Appraisal Working Note Potential Sites for Consultation Updated July 2019:
The SA Working Note produced to accompany the 'Potential Sites for Consultation' was updated in July 2019 to include an assessment of the 29 sites that were submitted to the Council for consideration following the consultation. The Update also took account of changes made to the original site assessments following comments received in relation to Biodiversity, Historic Environment and changes to site boundaries.
Sustainability Appraisal Working Note Update (July 2019) (pdf)

Sustainability Appraisal Working Note (Three Rivers District Local Plan All Sites) (2020):
Three Rivers Site Assessments SA Working Note - September 2020 (pdf)

New Local Plan - Evidence Base

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