Final Local Plan agreed at Full Council

Three Rivers District Council’s proposed policies and sites allocated in its draft Local Plan, which acts as a blueprint for new homes and associated infrastructure and employment in the area, was agreed by a majority of councillors on Tuesday 27 January.

Before it is submitted to a government appointed planning inspectorate, who will judge on the plan’s soundness, the Local Plan has to go to the final stage of consultation, known as a Regulation 19, which seeks public comments on whether the policies are justifiable, based on evidence and are legally compliant as well demonstrating the district council has effectively cooperated with its neighbouring authorities.

It also acts as a mechanism by which interested persons can make representations on the draft plan to enable them to participate in the process of independent examination.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “Officers have worked incredibly hard to get our Local Plan, which I believe balances our housing need and keeps as much of our green belt as possible, to a place where we can submit it to the government. I am pleased that the Local Plan had no votes against from other councillors and is backed by the Three Rivers Joint Residents Association, which represents 22 residents’ groups.

“I would also like to thank everyone who engaged with us on our last consultation where your views on our draft policies and sites brought forward by landowners, not us, were truly valuable.

“Over the years, the government has been urging us to meet their high and unrealistic housing figures – and each time we have rejected this and have fought for a Local Plan that meets about 56% of their target while providing the right types of housing, employment space and infrastructure in the right places and retaining 73% of our greenbelt. We will keep on fighting for a Local Plan that is right for Three Rivers.”