| The West Stevenage
planning applications comply fully with adopted and emerging policy at a
regional and local level. In particular, they are also consistent with Government
policy outlined in PPG3 and its supporting material. The
draft East of England Plan, published for consultation in December 2004,
provides a clear strategic justification for the West Stevenage development.
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“In
Hertfordshire, the dwelling figures reflect the findings of the
Hertfordshire housing development and spatial strategy audit, which
has demonstrated the capacity for brownfield and greenfield development
within a sustainable development strategy………Around
two centres – Stevenage, and adjoining Harlow – major
growth is proposed. At Stevenage the provisions affect both Stevenage
Borough and North Hertfordshire District. The provisions reflect
the urban capacity of the two districts plus the major commitment
west of Stevenage…………..”
Draft
East of England Plan, Paragraph 7.9, December 2004
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“Land
suitable for strategic housing allocations, together with necessary
associated development, will be identified in the following locations…..and
excluded from the Green Belt……..
| Stevenage
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West
of A1(M) |
1,000 |
| North
Hertfordshire |
West
of A1(M) at Stevenage |
2,600… |
In the case
of development west of the A1(M) at Stevenage, the master plan will
provide for:
i) an initial phase of 5,000 dwellings some of which to be completed
after 2011;
ii) in the longer term a possible second phase of a further 5,000
dwellings.” Policy
H8, Hertfordshire Structure Plan, 1998
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| The adopted
Stevenage Local Plan confirms the allocation of 1,000 homes within the Borough
as part of West Stevenage. The adopted North
Hertfordshire District Plan dates from 1996 and therefore does not include
any reference to the West Stevenage development.
Although Hertfordshire County Council and North
Hertfordshire District Council have been seeking the deletion of the West
Stevenage allocation through an early revision to the structure plan,
this is not adopted policy and, in any event, the structure plan revision
has effectively been superseded by the draft East of England Plan.
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