St Albans Local Plan out for second consultation soon
Cllr Maynard with the draft Local Plan. Picture: SADC - Credit: Archant
A second consultation on the St Albans Local Plan (LP) is about to begin.
The district council (SADC) are asking local businesses and residents on their views of drastic plans to build 15,000 homes in the area between 2020 and 2036.
A draft version of the document was published in July - this outlines in detail where SADC has earmarked for development and infrastructure.
Eleven of the sites are on Green Belt and much of that is in Redbourn ward.
SADC portfolio holder for planning, Cllr Mary Maynard, said: “The draft Local Plan was supported by councillors from all parties and all parts of the district.
“I believe we have produced an LP that balances the need to protect the Green Belt as far as we can while allowing for the creation of much-needed new homes, employment centres and infrastructure.”
The LP accommodates that many houses in line with a Government quota, which is designed to drive house prices down in unaffordable areas.
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Throughout the last year, councillors from both the north and south of the district have argued that the LP unfairly targets their wards.
Cllr Maynard added: “This consultation is another highly-significant point in the LP process and I urge people to take a look at the proposals and give their views.
“It is important that we hear from as wide a cross-section of the public as possible so that all voices are heard.”
For the first consultation, 60,000 booklets were circulated to St Albans households and 2,400 people responded.
The next consultation runs for six weeks from September 4 to October 17.
If needed, SADC will redraft the document before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in March.
View the LP and comment at www.stalbans.gov.uk/planning/thelocalplan.aspx - there is an explanatory video available for anyone still unsure about the issues involved.
Information is also available at the Civic Centre on St Peter’s Street, at public libraries, and at town and parish council offices.
