Watford's New Local Plan has been examined by Government’s Planning Inspector...
Watford Borough Council have made positive steps to formally adopt a new vision for the development of the borough from now until 2036, following the Examination by the Government’s Planning Inspector of the ‘New Watford Local Plan’.
The Plan provides a blueprint for delivering the Council’s priorities and sets out the strategy for our growth and improvement for the local economy, housing, transport systems and environment until 2036.
Adoption of the Plan is scheduled for autumn 2022, following the Inspector’s feedback that some minor modifications need to be made to the Local Plan in order to find it ‘sound’ and allow the Council to adopt it. A full report will also be produced in summer 2022 for the public to view.
The new Local Plan will include policies that will allow Watford to insist that new homes are designed to the highest standards, to be more environmentally friendly, and, importantly, affordable for local people. It will introduce better controls around good design and building height, which we know is a key issue for local people.
High housing targets set by the government mean that Watford will continue to see some taller buildings, but with an up-to-date Local Plan the council will be better able to decide where these buildings go, how tall they are, and ensure that they are only approved where they benefit the town.
It also introduces policies to help support our town centre and the local economy by protecting land for certain uses such as retail, leisure and employment. Without an up-to-date Local Plan these important uses could be lost forever, and our communities would suffer as a result.
Councillor Stephen Johnson, Portfolio Holder for Commercial Property, Planning and Housing Services said: “This marks another important milestone towards a new Local Plan for Watford that puts the power back in the hands of the local community to have a real say on the future of development in the town.
“Many people ask me why the council can’t just say no to development. Well, we can but without good reasons supported by up-to-date policies in a new Local Plan, developers will appeal to the government and succeed with little or no say by local people. However, with an up-to-date Local Plan we can have a far greater say in what type of development takes place and reject developments where they do not fit in with the town or provide benefits for the local community.”
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said: “With an up-to-date Local Plan, we have a better chance of resisting appeals for inappropriate development and have more control over making Watford the place we want it to be.
“Local Plan or no Local Plan, development happens but the risks of carrying on without one are considerable for us. Unlike our neighbours, the vast majority of land in Watford is previously developed, brownfield land. The government is putting towns like Watford, with very little greenbelt land, are under huge pressure to build more homes.
“I will continue to fight for a lower housing target for Watford and more say for local residents because I want Watford to be a good place to live.”
For more information, please visit www.watfordlocalplan.co.uk.
