We're asking for your views on a draft vision for the future of South West Hertfordshire.
The South West Hertfordshire 2050 - Realising Our Potential document, which aspires to accelerate "positive change", includes a draft vision and objectives for the area until 2050. It marks the first formal plan-making stage for the South West
Herts Joint Strategic Plan (JSP), which is being drawn up by ourselves, St Albans City and District Council, Hertsmere Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council, supported by Hertfordshire County Council.
The document covers all aspects of life in South West Hertfordshire and considers how to tackle the big issues and opportunities that lie ahead for the area, including the challenges of climate change. Responses to this consultation will help shape the
more detailed content of the plan as it progresses.
Cllr Alan Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure, said: “To help shape the future of the South West Hertfordshire area, it is really important that we hear about the issues that are important to Dacorum residents so I urge residents
to have their say on the draft vision.
“The feedback we receive will help us maximise the opportunity to obtain the infrastructure crucial to future development, without surrendering our ability to control the future development of the Dacorum part of the area.”
Chair of the SW Herts Member Group and Leader of St Albans City and District Council, Cllr Chris White, said: “South West Hertfordshire is a wonderful place to live, work and visit - but we need to think about the future.
“The five local authorities which make up the area, supported by Hertfordshire County Council, have been working on a plan which will address key issues and opportunities for our area until 2050, such as climate change and the transition to zero
carbon.
“This document marks the first step towards delivering that plan, and we want to hear from you on the particular issues that matter to you. Every comment matters to us.
“At this stage, we don’t know yet where growth should go, but we know we want it to happen sustainably, and we want the key pieces of infrastructure in place to support that growth.
“Tell us how you think our area can realise its full potential - your views will help shape the future of South West Hertfordshire.”
The South West Hertfordshire 2050 - Realising our Potential document has been developed following a poll in early 2020, which generated more than 14,500 comments, a series of workshops, and an online engagement exercise, in which participants were asked
what type of future they would like to see.
In addition, residents and businesses are being asked to give their views on a Sustainability Appraisal Scoping report, which will help us consider the environmental, social and economic effects of the JSP.
SW Herts is one of only a small number of councils in the UK working together in this way. By considering the longer-term future of a bigger area as whole, the opportunities for the future, such as more Government funding for infrastructure improvements,
are greater.
The SW Herts JSP will not replace Local Plans. Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans City and District, Three Rivers and Watford are still required to have in place their own up-to-date plans.
The full document is available to view on the South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan website. Responses
can be submitted until 5pm on Friday 4 November 2022.
For any queries about this consultation, please email haveyoursay@swhertsplan.com.
