Welwyn Hatfield’s Annual Monitoring Report 2005

The Welwyn Hatfield District Plan was adopted on 15 April 2005 and provides the Council’s policies and proposals for land use in the district up until 2011. The existing Development Plan for Welwyn Hatfield comprises of Regional Planning Guidance 9, the Hertfordshire Structure Plan, the Hertfordshire Waste and Minerals Local Plans and the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan 2005. The Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England (RSS14) is being prepared and along with the Local Development Framework for Welwyn Hatfield and the Waste and Minerals Development Frameworks being prepared by the County Council will replace the existing Development Plan.

On 28 September 2004 the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 came into force. This legislation introduces a new development plan system in England. Structure Plans, Local Plans, Waste and Minerals Plans and Unitary Development Plans will be replaced by new types of development plans. At a regional level there will be a Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England. At a local level there will be a portfolio of statutory and non-statutory Local Development Documents known collectively as a Local Development Framework. Work is currently underway on the first stages in the new development plan system for Welwyn Hatfield. Meanwhile, the District Plan policies remain as “saved policies”, for at least 3 years, until the new local development documents are adopted.

This is the first Annual Monitoring Report for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005. This document has been prepared in consultation with key stakeholders and data providers and has been amended to reflect the responses received from consultees. The report forms the initial steps towards formalising a comprehensive monitoring strategy for the Local Development Framework. In future years AMRs will comprehensively assess the implementation of the local development scheme and the extent to which policies in local development documents are being successfully implemented.

The document will be submitted to the Secretary of State (represented by the Government Office for the East of England) by the end of December 2005 and is published on the Council’s 1 website www.welhat.gov.uk

1 In accordance with Section 35 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (HMSO: May 2004) and Regulation 48 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004 (HMSO: September 2004).

Contents Page Page No.

Executive Summary 4 Glossary of Terms 6 1 Introduction 8 2 Report Purpose 9 3 Key Principles for Monitoring 9 4 Contextual Characteristics of Welwyn Hatfield 9 5 Key Planning Issues for Welwyn Hatfield 14 6 Local Development Framework – Policy Evaluation, Objectives, Targets & Indicators 15 7 Analysis of National Core Output Indicators 30

Appendices Employment Land Availability 2005 41 Residential Land Availability 2005 43 Table of Studies – Baseline Data for development of the Evidence Base 46 List of Key Stakeholders Consulted 48

List of Tables & Figures

Table No. Description Page No. 1 Recorded Crime in Welwyn Hatfield 2003to 2004 10 Figure 1 Population pyramid for Welwyn Hatfield 9 2 Green Belt designation 1997 to 2005 11 Figure 2 Housing Trajectory 1991to 2011 33 3 Qualification Levels in Welwyn Hatfield 12 Figure 3 Percentage of New & Converted Dwellings on Previously Developed Land 2001 to 2005 34 4 Average House Prices/Household Incomes & Affordability Rates 2004 in Welwyn Hatfield 12 Figure 4 Previous Land Use of Completions on Previously Developed Land 2004 to 2004 34 5 Gross Average Weekly Full Time Earnings 2003 in Welwyn Hatfield 13 6 Unemployment Rates in Welwyn Hatfield 2001 to 2005 13 7 Mode of Travel to Work by Welwyn Hatfield Residents 2001 14 8 Local Development Documents – Timetable for Production 19 9 Supplementary Planning Documents – Timetable for Production 20 10 Proposed Indicators and Targets for Monitoring ‘saved’ District Plan Policies 21 11 Authorised Public Gypsy Sites 2004 25 12 Authorised Private Gypsy Sites 2004 25 13 Key Issues Identified in Welwyn Hatfield’s Community Plan 2004 26 14 National Core Outputs Indicators: 27 15 Business Development 31 16 Residential Completions & Demolitions 1991 to 2005 32 17 Density of Housing Completions 2004 to 2005 34 18 Completions on Housing Sites with a Density of below 30 dph 35 19 Car Parking Standards for Non-Residential development & Accessibility to Key Services 35 20 Amount of Completed Retail, Office & Leisure development 36 21 Amount of Completed Retail, Office & Leisure development in Town Centres 36 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 Table No. Description Page No. 22 Amount of eligible open space managed to Green Flag Standard 37 23 No. of planning applications granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency 37 24 Changes in areas & populations of bio-diversity importance 37 25 Condition of SSSI’s in Welwyn Hatfield 2005 38 26 Wildlife Sites in Welwyn Hatfield 2001 to 2005 38 27 Renewable energy capacity 38

Appendices Table Ref: Description Page No. A Employment Generating Development Completed 2004 – 2005 41 B Floorspace Change 42 C Strategic Land Requirement and Supply 43 D Housing Land Supply 44 E Density of Housing Completions 2004 – 2005 45 F Table of Studies – Baseline Data for development of the Evidence Base 46 G Age & Sex of Population in Welwyn Hatfield 2001 Census 47

3 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Executive Summary

This is the first Annual Monitoring Report to be submitted. It represents the first stage in the development of a comprehensive monitoring system for the Local Development Framework (LDF) in Welwyn Hatfield.

The monitoring of the Local Development Framework is an evolving process. The main focus of this year’s report has been to provide some initial baseline data for a range of datasets that could be used for monitoring purposes.

A further role of this year’s report has been to identify policies or topics for which there is either no data or, the data collection system does not exist or is not currently robust for monitoring purposes. It is envisaged that these data gaps will be addressed in future LDF monitoring reports.

The successful monitoring of the LDF will ultimately be dependent on analysing trends and drawing conclusions from data spanning a number of years of monitoring. Whilst attempts have been made to draw conclusions from the data contained in this first AMR, it is often not yet possible to draw meaningful conclusions. This is because data for a number of years will be required to enable meaningful analysis and for policies to take effect.

Some of the main findings of this report are outlined in the remainder of this Executive Summary. Particular emphasis is placed in this summary on the LDS key milestones and the national core output indicators.

Local Development Scheme – Key Milestones

The key milestone of issuing the Statement of Community Involvement – Issues and Options Paper in June/July 2005 was met.

Business Development

100% of the land developed for industrial/commercial purposes for schemes of 1000 sq. m. or more in Welwyn Hatfield in 2004/05 was carried out on previously developed land.

The past year has seen a net increase in employment generating floorspace of 19,952 square metres.

Monitoring indicates a high potential net increase in floorspace of 145,595 square metres in the district. At the time of survey many schemes were either under construction or yet to start.

4 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Housing

89% of completions in the year were on previously developed land (PDL). This exceeds the Government target of 60% of residential completions on PDL by 2008.

65% of housing completed in the year was at a density of between 30 and 50 dph. Policy H6 of the adopted District Plan requires efficient use of land at a density of 30 – 50 dph and this has been achieved.

28% of net completions in the year have provided 160 affordable dwellings. For the period 2001-2004 the average was 23%, this compares favourably with a regional average for the East of England of 11% of total supply.

565 new dwellings were completed in the year and this exceeds the existing target of 280 dwellings per annum. Indications are that we are likely to meet our Structure Plan allocation before the end of the plan period in 2011.

5 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Glossary of Terms

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR): A report submitted to the government by local planning authorities or regional planning bodies assessing progress with and the effectiveness of a Local Development Framework

Affordable Housing (including intermediate or sub-market housing): Housing, whether for rent, shared ownership or outright purchase, provided at a cost considered affordable in relation to incomes that are average or below average, or in relation to the prices of general market housing. Intermediate housing is housing at prices or rents above those of social rented but below market prices or rents. This can include sub-market renting or low cost home ownership.

Best Value: The way an authority measures, manages and improves its performance with regard to government targets

Bio-diversity: The whole variety of life encompassing all genetics, species and ecosystem variations, including plants and animals

Community Strategy: Local Authorities are required by the Local Government Act 2000 to prepare these with the aim of improving the social, environmental and economic well being of their areas. Through the community strategy, authorities are expected to co-ordinate the actions of local public, private voluntary and community sectors

Development Plan Document: Spatial planning documents that are subject to independent examination, and together with the relevant regional spatial strategy, will form the development plan for the local authority area. They can include a core strategy, site-specific allocations of land, and area action plans and generic development control policies. Individual DPDs or parts of a document can be reviewed independently from other DPDs.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): is a key indicator of the state of the whole economy, In the UK, three theoretical approaches are used to estimate GDP: ‘production’, ‘income’ and ‘expenditure’.

Gross Value Added (GVA): measures the contribution to the economy of each individual producer, industry or sector in the United Kingdom.

Housing Trajectory: The means of showing past and future housing performance by identifying the predicted provision of housing over the lifespan of the local development framework

Local Development Document: the collective term used in the Act for development plan documents, supplementary planning documents and the statement of community involvement.

Local Development Framework: the name for the portfolio of local development documents and related documents. It consists of development plan documents, supplementary planning documents, a statement of community involvement, the local development scheme and annual monitoring reports. Together all these documents will provide the framework for delivering the spatial planning strategy for a local authority area

Output Indicators: measure the direct effects of a policy. Used to assess whether policy targets have been achieved in reality using available information. Regional Spatial Strategy: Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) strategy for how a region should look in 15 to 20 years time and possibly longer. The Regional Spatial Strategy identifies the scale and distribution of new housing in the region, indicates areas for regeneration, expansion or sub-regional planning and specifies priorities for the environment, transport, infrastructure, economic development,

6 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 agriculture, minerals and waste treatment and disposal. Most former Regional Planning Guidance is now considered RSS and forms part of the development plan. Regional Spatial Strategies are prepared by Regional Planning Bodies.

Strategic Environmental Assessment: generic term used internationally to describe environmental assessment as applied to policies, plans and programmes.

Super Output Areas (SOA) are sub-ward areas, with average populations of around 1500.

Supplementary Planning Document: is a Local Development Document that may cover a range of issues, thematic or site specific, and provides further detail of policies and proposals in a ‘parent’ Development Plan Document.

7 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 1 Introduction

1.1 In September 2004, the Government introduced, through the commencement of new legislation, major changes to the way the development plans system operates in England. The existing Development Plan for Welwyn Hatfield, which comprises of the Hertfordshire Structure Plan, the Hertfordshire Waste and Minerals Local Plans and the adopted Welwyn Hatfield District Plan, will be replaced by a Regional Spatial Strategy and a set of Local Development Frameworks.

1.2 Welwyn Hatfield District Council is responsible for producing a Local Development Framework (LDF) that is an on going portfolio of documents, which collectively deliver the spatial planning strategy for the local area. As part of the preparation of the Local Development Framework, the Council is required under Section 35 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, Local Planning Regulation 48 and Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulation 17, to prepare an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). The Regulations stresses that the main purpose of the AMR should be to

review actual progress in terms of local development document preparation against the timetable and milestones in the local development scheme; assess the extent to which policies in local development documents are being implemented; where policies are not being implemented, explain why and set out the steps to be taken to ensure that the policy is being implemented; or whether the policy is to be amended or replaced; identify the significant effects of implementing policies in local development documents and whether they are as intended; and set out whether policies are to be amended or replaced.

1.3 The first AMR being submitted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to the Secretary of State (the Government Office for the East of England) covers the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005. This initial AMR sets out the measures that the future detailed AMR will monitor against. The first full AMR will be due in December 2006 and will monitor the implementation and progress of the local development scheme and the extent to which the policies set out in local development documents are being achieved during the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006. However, the Local Development Scheme does not identify any Local Development Documents for adoption until November 2006 (the Statement of Community Involvement).

Background to Monitoring

1.4 This AMR represents the first stage in the development of a comprehensive system for monitoring the local development scheme at the local level and should be prepared by 31 December each year.

1.5 A key focus of the new planning system is delivery of sustainable development and sustainable communities. Monitoring will provide a tool to report on whether this is being achieved at the local level. An important aspect of the new planning system is the flexibility to update components of the local development framework to reflect changing circumstances. The ability to produce various local development documents, as opposed to one local plan document, will allow the Council to respond to changing priorities for developments in the area. Monitoring will play a critical part in identifying priorities.

1.6 Monitoring is essential to establish what is happening now and what may happen in the future. Monitoring will provide information on the performance of policies, identify the key challenges and opportunities and enable adjustments and revisions to be made if necessary. Monitoring may also indicate the need to refine or extend the monitoring framework itself or propose actions in respect to more localised strategies or initiatives.

8 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 2 Report Purpose

2.1 The main focus for this year’s report will be to provide an initial baseline assessment of datasets that are relevant for monitoring purposes. Part of this focus has been to identify policies or topics where there are currently information gaps or where data gathering systems are either not in place or don’t produce sufficiently robust data to allow monitoring to be carried out. The report will go on to set out how existing monitoring systems will be built upon over the next few years to meet the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. In addition, the report will begin to address the strategy for the development of evidence bases; objectives, targets and indicators as an integral part of development plan document preparation and the requirement for subsequent monitoring.

3 The Key Principles for Monitoring

3.1 There are four broad principles which underpin the development of a monitoring framework. They are: Making use of existing information Being consistent with national and regional monitoring Setting objectives, policies, targets and indicators Taking a forward looking approach

4 Contextual Characteristics of Welwyn Hatfield

Demography and Ethnicity

Figure 1: Population Pyramid for Welwyn Hatfield – Census 2001

Source: 2001 Census © Crown Copyright

4.1 The population of Welwyn Hatfield increased by 3.6 per cent to 97,900 between 1983 and 2003, this compared with an 11.5 per cent rise in the East of England and a 6.5 per cent rise in England. The population density was 753 people per square kilometre in 2003.

4.2 The 2001 Census indicates the population comprises of 47,363 males and 50,190 females. This is in line with the resident population in the East of England of 49 per cent males and 51 per cent females. Compared to the national average, Welwyn Hatfield has a slightly older population of

9 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 people aged 65 and over. The percentage of people aged 65-75 at 9 per cent, is higher than any district in Hertfordshire and higher than the regional or national level of 8.4 per cent.

4.3 The proportion of children aged 0-9 is similar in Welwyn Hatfield to the regional and national level. The percentage of people aged 20-24, 7.6 per cent in Welwyn Hatfield is above the regional and national rate of 6 per cent. People aged 60 and over made up a higher proportion of the Districts population than children under 15.

4.4 The 2001 Census revealed that 6.3 per cent of the districts residents belonged to Mixed, Asian, Black, Chinese or Other (non-white) ethnic groups. A further 4.9 per cent belonged to white minority groups of White Irish or White Other, making a total of 11.2 per cent of people in all ethnic minority groups.

Recorded Crime Statistics

4.5 Nationally the Home Offices requires district councils and their partners to reduce a wide range of specified crimes. In 2004/2005 these crimes in Welwyn Hatfield were 4.1% lower than in the previous year. Both vehicle crime and home burglary were reduced by more than 25%, and robbery was down by a sixth. All of these were better than the Hertfordshire-wide picture, where the overall crime rose by 2.2%. In the case of burglary, our improvement was five times better than the Hertfordshire average.

4.6 These improvements resulted from concerted efforts by the Welwyn Hatfield Community Safety Partnership. Welwyn Hatfield Council, the police and other organisations, in response to a surge in crime during 2003 caused by an influx of drug dealing to the district. If these trends continue, crime in Welwyn Hatfield will reduce between 2003 and 2008 by more than the 18.5% required by the Home Office. In Welwyn Hatfield we are concentrating on the most active offenders, and on further reducing burglary, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.

4.7 The percentage increase in the crime rate for robbery and vehicle crime in Welwyn Hatfield in 2003 was above the percentage increase for the East of England. However, the percentage change for household burglary was lower than that for the region.

Table 1: Recorded Crime per 1000 of population in Welwyn Hatfield compared to other areas recorded in 2003 – 2004 Area Apr – June 2003 Jul – Sept 2003 Oct – Dec 2003 Jan – March 2004 UK 29.0 28.3 27.6 27.8 East of England 23.7 23.1 22.9 23.4 Hertfordshire 27.1 22.1 22.9 25.1 Welwyn Hatfield 28.2 28.0 28.9 27.8

Source: Home Office Crime Statistics

Health

4.8 The overall standard of health in Hertfordshire in 2003, measured by life expectancy, standardised mortality ratios, and mortality ratios for coronary heart disease and cancer indicates that it was better than that for the region. However, there are small areas in the New Towns, especially Welwyn Hatfield and (Stevenage) outside the District, that have higher levels of ill-heath than the county as a whole, although they are still below the England average on most indicators.

10 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Physical Environment

4.9 Welwyn Hatfield district covers an area of 130 square kilometres in mid Hertfordshire. The District has an attractive environment and includes the main residential and commercial centres of Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield, which are tightly constrained by the Green Belt. Welwyn Garden City is now over 80 years old, is known throughout the world as one of the finest examples of modern town planning and landscaping. It built according to the vision and principles of Sir Ebenezer Howard, founder of the Garden City movement and is the world’s second Garden City.

4.10 Hatfield, which together with Welwyn Garden City was designated as a new town following the 1946 New Towns Act, developed as a modern new town around the aircraft industry, and was built close to its historic original town. Hatfield House is a nationally known tourist attraction. Following the closure of British Aerospace in 1993, Hatfield is undergoing major regeneration and redevelopment. It has become a key location for new homes, shops, schools businesses and industry. The University of Hertfordshire is based at Hatfield and a new Campus was built on the aerodrome site, which opened in 2003.

4.11 The District also comprises a number of large villages excluded from the Green Belt with populations of between 1000 and 6000. The District stretches from Woolmer Green in the north down to Little Heath in the south on the edge of Potters Bar. There are residential developments at Welwyn, Digswell, Mardley Heath and Oaklands and in the south at Welham Green, Brookmans Park and Cuffley. Principally the areas are a source of housing for their communities, but they also have shops and services, schools and community facilities in varying ranges.

4.12 Approximately 70% of the population live in the urban areas around 60% of the land area is rural. This is largely agricultural with arable and grazing land broken up by areas of woodland, river valleys and small villages and hamlets all of which is designated as Green Belt. The rural areas contain 191 wildlife sites of county or district importance, five sites of national importance (SSSI’s) and one of national importance (SAC). Apart from the eight larger villages the whole of the rural area is designated as Green Belt.

4.13 Table 2 below shows that the area designated as Green Belt in Welwyn Hatfield has remained unchanged over the last few years.

Table 2: Green Belt area designated in Welwyn Hatfield 1997,2003 and 2005

1997 2003 2005

10,250 10,250 10,250 Source: ODPM, September 2003.

4.14 Welwyn Hatfield has over 400 Listed Buildings and contains 8 Conservation Areas. These are the historic cores of Ayot Green, Ayot St. Lawrence, Essendon, Old Hatfield, Northaw, and Welwyn together with two areas in Welwyn Garden City. These areas contain significant links with the past, in terms of the historical development of the district and traditional forms of architecture and contain most of the district’s Listed Buildings.

4.15 The landscape is characterised by gently undulating topography, with areas of woodland and

11 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 river valleys. The underlying geology in the District is primarily clay although Hatfield has chalk. There are also mineral deposits in the form of sand and gravel.

Educational Attainment

4.16 Educational achievements in Key Stage 2 and GCSEs were above the average for the region, while A/AS level point scores in 2004 were below the average for the region. In 2004, a higher percentage of the economically active adults in the Hertfordshire area had National Vocational Qualifications at levels 2, 3 and 4 for the East of England or England.

Table 3: Qualification Levels in Welwyn Hatfield compared to other areas

Qualification Welwyn Welwyn Herts. County East of England GB % Level Hatfield Hatfield % % % Numbers NVQ Level and 15,600 27.3 29.8 23.2 25.2 above

NVQ Level 3 and 27,400 47.9 49.7 40.5 43.1 above

NVQ Level 2 and 37,300 65.3 68.1 61.1 61.5 above

NVQ Level 1 and 43,900 76.7 81.7 77.1 76.0 above

Other 7,500 13.1 7.5 8.2 8.8 qualifications

No qualifications 5,800 10.2 10.8 14.8 15.1

Source: Local Area Labour Force Survey (March 2003-Feb 2004).

Housing

4.17 Housing affordability in the district is an important issue for the Council. The ratio between average house prices and average household income is high. This means for many, housing is unaffordable in the district. Welwyn Hatfield is amongst the top three areas* in Hertfordshire where the ratio of house prices to income is 10 or above.

Table 4: Average house prices and average household incomes and housing affordability ratios, Welwyn Hatfield and Hertfordshire, 2004.

Area Overall average house Household income Ratio of house prices to price £ income

Hertfordshire 235828 25900 9.11

Welwyn Hatfield 246984 24700 10.00

12 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 Source: East of England Annual Monitoring Report 2003/2004.* The other two areas in Hertfordshire above the income ratio of 10 are Hertsmere and Broxbourne.

Economy

4.18 Table 5 shows that both resident and workplace based earnings in Welwyn Hatfield are higher than the regional average, although lower than the Hertfordshire average.

Table 5: Gross average weekly full time earnings in Welwyn Hatfield compared with other areas 2003

Area Residence based Workplace based

UK 422 422

East of England 450 422

Hertfordshire 586 545

Welwyn Hatfield 460 527

Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2004.

4.19 Unemployment rates are low in Welwyn Hatfield and whilst the rates are marginally above Hertfordshire, they are still significantly lower than the UK.

Table 6: Unemployment Rate Comparisons 2001 to 2005

Year Uk % East of Herts. County % Welwyn Hatfield % England %

2005 2.7 1.8 1.4 1.6

2004 2.5 1.8 1.4 1.5

2003 2.4 1.8 1.5 1.5

2002 3.2 2.3 1.5 1.2

Source: Herts C C Quarterly Unemployment Bulletin (April counts).

Transportation and Accessibility

4.20 The district is highly accessible north to south by road and rail. In common with Hertfordshire in general, Welwyn Hatfield has high levels of car ownership, although 20.6% households have no car or van compared with 17.6% in the county and 26.8 % nationally. Coupled with high levels of employment, these factors generate significant movement flows for shopping, education, employment and leisure. In-commuting flows are also significant as Welwyn Garden

13 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 City and Hatfield are important centres for employment for Hertfordshire. Out-commuting, particularly to London by train, is also an important feature of movement from Welwyn Hatfield.

4.21 To add to these internally generated flows, the district is also crossed by a number of major strategic transport routes including:

the M25 orbiting London at the southern end of the district the A1(M) running north-south through the middle of the district between London and Edinburgh the A414 running east-west, linking the district to Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Harlow and Chelmsford, and the East Coast Main Line railway running north-south between London and Edinburgh through the middle of the district and serving stations in Welwyn Hatfield at Brookmans Park, Welham Green, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and Welwyn North.

4.22 Many of the district’s local transport problems, particularly congestion, are caused by peak-time movements on the strategic transport routes and exacerbated by the lack of viable alternatives to the use of the car for east west travel. 64% of Welwyn Hatfield working residents make their journey to work by car, either as a driver or passenger.

Table 7: Mode of Travel to Work of Welwyn Hatfield Residents

Work Rail Bus Car Car Motor Bicycle On foot Other from Driver Passenger Cycle home

4131 4339 1465 26900 2567 467 1269 4605 413

9.0% 9.4% 3.1% 58.3% 5.6% 1.0% 2.7% 10.0% 0.9%

Source: 2001 Census Table KS15 (Travel to work numbers and percentages)© Crown Copyright

5 Key Planning Issues for Welwyn Hatfield District

5.1 The overall aim of the District Plan 2005 is to improve the quality of life in the district by providing for sustainable development. This is the central theme of national and strategic planning policy and has been identified as a key issue in Welwyn Hatfield through consultation with the community in preparing the Plan.

Protecting the Environment and Preserving Natural Resources Maintaining and Developing a Sense of Community Reducing the Need to Travel and Dependence on the Car Meeting Local Housing Needs Maintaining Economic Prosperity and Jobs Sustaining the Countryside and Rural Communities and Revitalising Town and Village Centres

5.2 In the light of these issues and to achieve the overall aim of securing sustainable development the district, the Plan has the following objectives:

14 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Preserve and enhance the district’s wildlife and biodiversity, landscape, urban open land and historic environment, and minimise the use of natural resources.

Provide for development to meet the recognised needs of local people in terms of housing, jobs, shopping, leisure, services, health and community facilities, education and training

Maintaining the Green Belt and concentrate development within the main towns and villages of Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Welwyn, Oaklands and Mardley Heath, Digswell, Woolmer Green, Welham Green, Brookmans Park, Cuffley and Little Heath, in particular on previously developed land.

Seek to sustain the countryside and rural communities, allowing development in rural areas where this helps to sustain the rural economy and community life, preserves the quality of the countryside and supports the purposes of the Green Belt.

Minimise the overall need to travel by encouraging more balanced and self- contained settlements, promoting mixed-use development and locating development where it is accessible.

Reduce dependence on the car by requiring development to be located and designed so it is accessible by and gives priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.

Maintain and enhance the quality of the urban environment by protecting open space and requiring good quality, sustainable design in all new development.

Foster a ‘sense of community’ through the protection and provision of services and facilities through careful design of new development.

Maintain and improve the vitality and viability of Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield town centres and the district’s village and local centres, by protecting their primary shopping functions and encouraging a greater diversity of uses.

Increase economic prosperity through the regeneration of key areas of the district, in particular Hatfield Town Centre and the former Hatfield Aerodrome site.

6 Local Development Framework

Policy Evaluation, Objectives, Targets and Indicators

6.1 Monitoring should be a continuous pro-active process with AMRs looking to assess the extent to which policies are being implemented as intended at the local level and informing regular reviews and the draft RSS14. In cases where data suggests that policies are not being implemented, the AMR will look to

discuss possible reasons why identify steps to ensure that policies begin to be implemented OR identify whether a policy needs to be amended and/or replaced interpret adverse trends

15 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Local Development Scheme Implementation

6.2 The Local Development Scheme (LDS) is the first statutory task the Council must complete in advance of preparing its Local Development Framework. The LDS is the first point of reference for local communities and stakeholders to find out what local planning policies relate to the area, setting out current policies and outlining the programme for the preparation of Local Development Documents for the six-year period 2005-2010.

6.3 Welwyn Hatfield’s LDS was submitted for approval to the Secretary of State, represented in Welwyn Hatfield’s case by the Government Office for the East of England within six months of the commencement of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, that was 28 March 2005.

6.4 The Council received notification from the Government Office for the East of England that in accordance with the relevant Regulations contained within the Act*, that the First Secretary of State approved the Welwyn Hatfield Local Development Scheme. And this came into effect on 7 April 2005. Once approved, the Council, in its role as Local Planning Authority, is required to keep under review and, if necessary, revise its LDS. The Annual Monitoring Report will be instrumental to this review.

Local Development Scheme Preparation, Timescales and Key Milestones

6.5 For the monitoring year ¼/2004 to 31/03/2005, the Council had two key Planning Policy targets to achieve in advance of commencing the preparation of its Local Development Framework. One of those key targets was to adopt the District Plan, which has been prepared in accordance with prior planning legislation. A Local Public Inquiry into the emerging District Plan had been held between May and November 2003 and Proposed Modifications were placed on deposit in October 2004. The Council considered that no representations had been received. Which gave rise to the Council concluding that a further Local Plan Inquiry was necessary. On 24 February 2005, resolved to advertise its intention to adopt the District Plan. A Notice to this effect was published on 2 March 2005. In the monitoring year 2005/2006, the Council resolved, on 4 April 2005, to adopt the District Plan. The District Plan was adopted on 15 April 2005. No challenges were received during the proceeding six-week High Court Challenge period.

6.6 The other key target was to submit the Council’s Local Development Scheme to the Secretary of State (represented by the Government Office for the East of England) by 28 March 2005. This target was met and the LDS came into effect on 7 April 2005.

6.7 Other than work connected to the evidence gathering for the Core Strategy and the Statement of Community Involvement, no key milestones were identified in the monitoring year 2004/2005 in the Local Development Scheme.

6.8 However, the above indicators are ‘lagging’ indicators, i.e. they confirm what has been achieved in a prior monitoring period. It is also important to look ahead at the ‘leading’ indicators, i.e. those targets that are planned to be met in future monitoring years.

6.9 Progress towards meeting key targets and milestone during the first eight months of the monitoring year 2005/2006 (and beyond) is summarised as follows.

The Statement of Community Involvement

6.10 The key milestone of issuing the Issues and Options Paper in June and July 2005 was met.

16 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 However, it should be noted that the Council exceeded minimum statutory requirements for consultation at this Issues and Options stage. The Council has only recently adopted its District Plan and it was considered important to explore the effectiveness of recent consultation processes whilst simultaneously embarking upon the processes associated with a new Local Development Framework. This was attempted by contacting, and seeking to engage, all those registered on the recently adopted District Plan database early in the process of document production. Workshops were also held with the Local Strategic Partnership (The Welwyn Hatfield Alliance) who is responsible for the production of the Community Strategy and the Youth Council. In all, around 1,200 individuals, businesses, amenity groups, parish councils and community groups were consulted. 136 responses were received. The availability of resources to handle the management and the scale of consultation undertaken at the Issues and Options stage meant that a small delay was incurred in the preparation of the Preferred Options Paper. The Council was however, in this instance, able to respond quickly to this pressure by rearranging a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet Planning and Transportation Panel in advance of the earliest available scheduled meeting of the Council’s Cabinet. This had the effect of minimising the impact to three weeks with consultation commencing on 9 November 2005, instead of towards the end of October 2005, as originally envisaged in the Local Development Scheme. The consultation period closes on 21 December. As the consultation has been heavily front-loaded, the Council is optimistic that it may be able to regain time lost to date and is still working towards the target of submitting the Statement of Community Involvement to the Secretary of State in March/April 2006.

6.11 The need for a new database, that can effectively handle the multiple layers of consultation required by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, has been identified and resources will be allocated to this task. However, this cannot be delivered in-house and external assistance will be employed for this task. Until the end of the consultation period and the number of responses and issues of concern are known, it is difficult to predict if any further delay will occur in the programme of preparation for the Statement of Community Involvement.

Evidence Gathering

6.12 Has commenced in earnest for a range of documents (detailed in Table F in the Appendices). A Housing Needs Survey, jointly commissioned in the monitoring year 2004/2005, was reported in the monitoring year 2005/2006. A Gypsy Needs Survey was jointly commissioned in the monitoring year 2005/2006 with a draft and final report anticipated in the same monitoring year. An Employment Floorspace and Land Availability Study was also jointly commissioned in the monitoring year 2005/2006. A Leisure and Community Study was commissioned in November 2005. All of these studies are fundamental to building the evidence base for the proposed Core Strategy and Site Allocations Development Plan Documents. Two of the studies are also pertinent to two proposed site specific Supplementary Planning Documents, which are scheduled for early preparation in order to deliver on strategic District Plan policies and objectives. All this work is currently on schedule. However, it is recognised that the reporting time on some of these studies is very tight for the preparation of one draft Supplementary Planning Document, the Welwyn Garden City Town Centre and Campus East Development Brief. This will be kept under review.

6.13 The Local Planning Authority is also mindful of its duties under other legislation and in accordance with section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and is embarking upon a Conservation Area Appraisal for it’s largest Conservation Area, Welwyn Garden City. Whilst this is not identified in the Local Development Scheme, it is a technical piece of work, which will require the dedication of staff and financial resources.

The possible effect of lag on the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS14)

6.14 The Council’s published Local Development Scheme took into account, the, then published

17 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 dates for the preparation of RSS14. Since the Local Development Scheme was prepared, the programme of preparation for the RSS has been amended. The effect of this has been to push back the anticipated dates of publication of the Secretary of State’s “proposed changes” from mid-2006 (June/July) to November/December 2006. The “proposed changes” will be subject to an eight-week consultation period. The Local Development Scheme was carefully prepared to enable the Council to:

have adequate resources to respond to the eight week consultation period, and

to be informed of the likely strategic regional planning policy framework before it completes the preparation of the Core Strategy Issues and Options Paper.

6.15 The planned programme for the Site Allocations document followed on closely behind with sufficient gap for the responses to the Issues and Options Paper to be considered in advance of developing the Issues and Options Paper for the Site Allocations document. The current RSS timetable would mean that the Council would, if it continues with the current Local Development Scheme programme, produce an Issues and Options Paper in advance of having sight of the Secretary of State’s report. The Issues and Options Paper consultation stage also would clash with the Secretary of State’s consultation on the “proposed changes” to the RSS. In order to carry out an effective consultation on all Issues and Options for this district, it would be more meaningful to incorporate the proposed changes to the Council’s Issues and Options consultation.

6.16 It is therefore likely that in early 2006, the Council will seek to amend its Local Development Scheme to take account of the impact of the revised RSS programme. Any amendments will need to take into account the resultant impact on all other proposed Local Development Documents.

Areas at risk of falling behind schedule

6.17 Whilst not identified as a separate piece of work, the initial scoping work and evidence base required in association with Strategic Environmental Assessments and Sustainability Appraisals has only recently commenced in earnest. It is recognised that this is a large and important area of work, which is fundamental to the soundness of all relevant Local Development Documents.

6.18 Consultancy advice was procured on 21 November 2005 from Hertfordshire County Council to provide advice and support through Stage A of the SEA/SA process which must coincide with the production of the Welwyn Garden City Town Centre Masterplan SPD and the Broadwater Road West (Welwyn Garden City) SPD. The final output will be the production of a scoping report for the two SPDs by the end of January 2006, which will then be subject to consultation in accordance with the provisions of the relevant regulations.

18 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Local Development Scheme

Table 8: Local Development Documents –Timetable for Production

Document Key Milestones Title Evidence Issues & Preferred Submission Alternative/ Pre- Independent Adoption Gathering Options Options (S) Omission examination Examination (A) (G) Consultation Consultati- Sites (O) meeting (E) (I) on (P) (M) Statement of LDS Target LDS Target Nov/Dec Community Date: Date: June to 2005 Not applicable Involvement March to July 2005 May 2005

Target Met √√ √√ √ Core LDS Target Strategy Date: January 2005 to September 2006 Target Met √ Site LDS Target Allocations Date: April 2005 to July 2007 Target Met √ Development LDS Target Control Date: This Policies is not due to commence until January 2008 to May 2008

Key: √√ Milestone √ Milestone on X Milestone complete target to running late complete

G: Evidence gathering/studies/scoping/pre-production engagement (all LDDs), I: Reg 25, issues and options consultation (DPDs/SCI), P: Regulation 26, preferred options consultation (DPDs/SCI) Reg 17 participation on draft SPD, S: Submission (DPDs/SCI; this stage includes the submission of the Proposals Map for the Core Strategy and the Site Allocations DPDs), O: Alternative/Omission sites (Allocations DPD only), M:Pre-examination meeting (DPDs/SCI), E:Independent Examination (DPDs/SCI), A:Adoption (all LDDs).

19 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Table 9 : Supplementary Planning Documents – Timetable for Production

Document Title Key Milestones

Evidence Gathering (G) Draft SPD Adoption (A) Consultation (P) Welwyn Garden City Town Centre LDS Target Date: April 2005 to February 2006 and Campus East (Development Brief)

Target Met √ Design Guide LDS Target Date: June 2006 to November 2006

This is not due to commence until June 2006

Broadwater Road West LDS Target Date: April 2005 to April 2006 (Development Brief)

Target Met √ High View/Hill Top LDS Target Date: September 2006 to April 2007 Neighbourhood Centre (Development Brief) This is not due to commence until September 2006

Key: √√ Milestone √ Milestone on X Milestone complete target to running late complete

G: Evidence gathering/studies/scoping/pre-production engagement (all LDDs), I: Reg 25, issues and options consultation (DPDs/SCI), P: Regulation 26, preferred options consultation (DPDs/SCI) Reg 17 participation on draft SPD, S: Submission (DPDs/SCI; this stage includes the submission of the Proposals Map for the Core Strategy and the Site Allocations DPDs), O: Alternative/Omission sites (Allocations DPD only), M:Pre-examination meeting (DPDs/SCI), E:Independent Examination (DPDs/SCI), A:Adoption (all LDDs).

Monitoring of saved policies from the adopted District Plan

6.19 Table 10 below provides a list of targets and indicators for monitoring District Plan policies in accordance with saved policy IM3 Monitoring and Review. As the District Plan was adopted in April 2005, only a small selection of targets and indicators have been proposed which directly relate to the ten objectives identified in the Overall Strategy chapter of the Plan. In addition some monitoring has taken place on issues relating to housing; employment and retailing and town centres and this is reported in Appendix 1. Monitoring relating to gypsy and traveller housing needs is reported below in paragraphs 6.18 to 6.24. The Council is not aware of any saved policies which are not being implemented although this will need to be verified by more comprehensive monitoring.

6.20 The monitoring of saved policies will be expanded upon in future years as the Council’s capacity for monitoring improves and during the preparation of key pieces of SPD which relate to saved policies in the Plan. The statutory requirements for monitoring from the Planning and

20 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and publication of the LDF Monitoring Good Practice Guide in March 2005, has allowed for an initial review of the draft indicators and targets.

Table 10: Proposed Indicators and Targets for Monitoring ‘saved’ adopted District Plan Policies

No District Indicator Relevant Target Commentary Plan Saved Policy Objective No. 1 1 Loss of R15 0% loss Suggested local indicator with designated data supplied through wildlife sites Hertfordshire Environmental Forum (HEF) 2 1 Number of listed R27 0% loss Local indicator buildings demolished 3 1 Use of R1 60% of new dwellings on PDL Part of the National Core previously (including through conversions Output Indicator set (ref no. developed land 2b) 4 1 Total number of SD1 Increase in the number of applications Part of the National Core planning R3 granted Output Indicator set (ref no. 9) applications R4 granted for developments involving an element of renewable energy generation 5 2 Total number of H1 Increasing number of new homes Part of the National Core new homes built H6 Output Indicator set (ref no. 2 – housing trajectory) 6 2 Percentage of H7 30% affordable Local indicator new housing provided as affordable 7 2 Loss of Class A TCR7 0% loss Local indicator uses by retail TCR8 centre TCR16 TCR17 TCR28 8 2 Retail floorspace TCR1 0% gain Review as a SMART target. permitted TCR2 outside TCR3 designated TCR23 centres TCR24 TCR25 TCR26 TCR27 9 2 Retain existing CLT1 0% floorspace loss Review as a SMART target. social and CLT13 community RA12 facilities

21 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

No District Indicator Relevant Target Commentary Plan Saved Policy Objective No. 10 3 Number and site GBSP1 Reduce number and site area of Review and rationalise with area of planning GBSP2 developments granted within the number 14 below. permissions RA1 Green Belt granted for new development within the Green Belt 11 3 Proportion of R1 Increasing proportion Part of the National Core new Output Indicator set (ref no.1c) employment uses of previously developed land 12 4 Loss of EMP8, RA16, 0% loss Local indicator employment RA17 land in rural areas 13 5 Number of SD1 Increasing number Local indicator mixed use developments granted planning permission within existing settlements 14 5 Number of new GBSP1 Number of new buildings and Review and rationalise with residential GBSP2 residential conversions granted number 10 above. buildings or new RA1 outside of the main towns and conversions to RA2 specified settlements residential uses built/carried out within the Green Belt 15 5 Percentage of SD1 Increasing percentage Keep as part of the National new residential M1 Core Output Indicator set (ref units developed no.3b) within 400 metres of a bus stop, within 600 metres of a local centre or within 800 metres of a railway station 16 6 Additional length SD1 Annual distance increase Suggested as a local indicator of cycle lanes M6 within Welwyn Hatfield 17 6 Number of bus M9 Annual increase Review as a SMART target. priority measures implemented within Welwyn

22 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Hatfield

No District Indicator Relevant Target Commentary Plan Saved Policy Objective No. 18 6 Percentage of M1 Annual percentage increase Suggested as a local indicator new Class B SD1 uses developed within 800 metres of a railway station or within 400 metres of a bus stop 19 7 Percentage loss OS1, OS2 0% loss Suggested as a local indicator of urban open land, percentage loss of playing fields 20 7 Proportion of M14 100% Suggested as a local indicator completed expanding upon Core development Indicator 3a complying with car parking standards set out in Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Guidance 21 7 Proportion of SD1 100% Suggested as a local indicator relevant D1 to D12 – monitored through appeal planning TCR13 decisions arrived at on design permissions in TCR22 grounds. accordance with Welwyn Hatfield Supplementary Design Guidance 22 9 Proportion of Health Check 0% Use as a local indicator vacant street IM3 level retail property 23 9 Pedestrian flows IM3 Increased pedestrian flows Need to establish baseline at selected before a SMART target can be points of main set. thoroughfares 26 9 Pedestrian flows TCR4, 5 & 6 Need to establish baseline at selected IM3 before a SMART target can be points of main set. thoroughfares (Welwyn Garden City)

23 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

No District Indicator Relevant Target Commentary Plan Saved Policy Objective No. 24 10 Proportion of Health Check 0% Use as a local indicator vacant street IM3 level retail property (Hatfield Town Centre and Hatfield Aerodrome District Centre and Welwyn Garden City) 25 10 Pedestrian flows TCR14 Increased pedestrian flows Need to establish baseline at selected HATAER4 before a SMART target can be points of main IM3 set. thoroughfares (Hatfield Town Centre and Hatfield Aerodrome District Centre)

Gypsy and Traveller Housing Needs

6.21 The Council is aware of the advice in Circular 1/94 and PPG3 and is also familiar with recent research work to emerge via the ODPM including ‘Local Authority Gypsy/ Traveller Sites in England (July 2003), ‘The Provision and Condition of Local Authority Gypsy/ Traveller Sites in England (October 2002) and ‘Managing Unauthorised Camping Operational Guidance – A Consultation Paper (April 2003)’. The Council is also aware of the ‘Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Sites: Consultation Paper’ (ODPM 2004) recently published for consultation by the Government. A new Circular is expected to be published in October 2005.

6.22 The Council has a duty (Section 225 of the Housing Act) to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers in its area and develop a strategy to meet any identified need. As a first stage to complying with this duty, the Council, along with Broxbourne, East Hertfordshire, North Hertfordshire and Stevenage (District Councils) and Hertfordshire County Council has commissioned a needs survey. The fieldwork commenced in September 2005 and a draft report was received in November 2005.

6.23 At July 2004, the half yearly count of Gypsy and Caravan sites by Welwyn Hatfield Council recorded the following numbers on authorised public sites and authorised private sites: There were no transit sites or unauthorised encampments recorded in the district at the time of the survey.

24 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Table 11: Authorised Public Sites Notified for July 2004

Name of No. of authorised Site Location No. of Caravans No. of Pitches and Authority public sites commentary Hertfordshire 1 Holwell Caravan Site, 60 There are 39 separate County Council Holwell, Hatfield AL9 pitches with a 5RE maximum of 2 caravans per pitch. Each pitch is separately occupied. Total 1 60 39

Table 12: Authorised Private Sites Notified for July 2004

Site Name No. of authorised Site Location No. of Caravans No. of Pitches private sites Barbaraville 1 Hertford Road, 11 5 Caravan Site Hatfield AL9 5PE Four Oaks 1 1-4 Great North Road, 4 Site occupied by 1 Welwyn AL6 0PL extended family. Total 2 15 N/a

6.24 During the monitoring year there were no planning applications submitted or determined by the Council relating to gypsy and traveller housing needs.

6.25 The Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991-2011 Policy 12 ‘Gypsy Sites’ provides the broad strategic policy and general framework for the preparation of detailed policies in local plans. Under the transitional provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Policy 12 remains valid and is saved until at least September 2007.

6.26 Policy H13 ‘Gypsy Sites’ of the adopted District Plan 2005 gives the local level policy approach to gypsy site provision in Welwyn Hatfield. The policy is criteria based and seeks development within the towns and specified settlements. Site provision outside of these areas such as the Green Belt is not considered appropriate unless a case of exceptional circumstances can be made.

6.27 As no planning applications have been submitted during the year, it is not possible to draw any meaningful conclusions from either the use or performance of this policy.

Links with Welwyn Hatfield Corporate Documents

6.28 In addition a key requirement of the monitoring strategy is the development of clear links with Community Strategies. Local development frameworks and community strategies share the same objective of sustainable development. Welwyn Hatfield’s first Community Plan was published in August 2004 by the Welwyn Alliance. This document, developed in partnership with our communities to improve quality of life in Welwyn Hatfield, sets out the 9 key priorities of local people for the next 3 years. The key issues to be addressed are indicated in below. The

25 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 timetable for revision to the Community Plan is scheduled for 2006 when the opportunity for the development of targets and indicators will be explored in more depth.

Table 13: Key Issues Identified in Welwyn Hatfield’s Community Plan 2004

SAFER COMMUNITIES Making our communities safer BETTER TRANSPORT Improving transport systems HEALTHY LIVING Enhancing healthy living PROSPERING BUSINESS Helping businesses prosper LIFELONG LEARNING Encouraging learning throughout life CLEANER ENVIRONMENT Improving the environment DECENT HOMES Providing decent homes for all ENJOYING LIFE Helping people enjoy life in Welwyn Hatfield CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Developing children’s and young people’s potential

6.29 In March 2005, the Council published a strategy statement called ‘5 Promises’ which sets out the Council’s vision for the future of Welwyn Hatfield. The document sets out the Council’s strategic aims and priorities for the next 5 years – until 2010. The 5 promises set out below will be used to develop and adopt a common set of targets and indicators. The 5 promises are:

Working with the police and other agencies to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour Make Welwyn Hatfield cleaner and greener Will make sure people have a decent home We will promote a sense of community in the District We will make sure we’re accountable to you.

The Monitoring Strategy

6.30 It is apparent from Table 14 below that considerable gaps in data collection exist. The main reason for this is that currently no relevant data is added to the Fastplanning database to generate the information for the set of national core output indicators. And the system is limited to recording information on applications rather than completions. During this first year work continues to be undertaken to determine what capabilities Fastplanning has to generate the data and analysis required. If this system fails to deliver the monitor requirements we have been given by the ODPM then the data will need to be collected manually, which will limit the Council’s monitoring capacity. Staff resources have been attributed to this task in 2004/2005 by commitment to the post of Monitoring Officer, although this remains a vacant post.

6.31 Table 14 below identifies the national core output indicators to be monitored. These are listed in the ODPM publication Local Development Framework Monitoring: Good Practice Guide (2005) and comprise of a set of national indicators which every local planning authority will report on in the Annual Monitoring Report. The table describes the types of indicators, and identifies the data providers we feel will be the main contributors to achieving each indicator outcome. A target date for reporting on each indicator is included to highlight the anticipated timescale involved in collecting and reporting on each indicator.

26 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Table 14: National Core Output Indicators2

Theme Core Description Name of Data Provider Target Target Target Target Output Date Date Date Date Indicator 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 Reference Business 1a Amount of Welwyn Hatfield Planning Development floorspace Policy/Building Control validated ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ developed for with Herts County Council employment by (Forward Planning Unit) type Business 1b Amount of Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy/ Development floorspace Building Control validated with ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ developed for Herts County Council (Forward employment, by Planning Unit) type, which is in development and/or regeneration areas Business 1c Amount of Welwyn Hatfield Planning Development floorspace by Policy/Building Control validated ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ employment type, with Herts County Council which is on (Forward Planning Unit) previously developed land Business 1d Employment land Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy Development available by type and Building Control validated ☺ ☺ with Herts County Council (Forward Planning Unit) Business 1e Losses of Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy Development employment land and Building Control validated ☺ ☺ ☺ in 1. with Herts County Council development/rege (Forward Planning Unit) neration areas and 2. local authority area Business 1f Amount of Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy Development employment land and Building Control validated ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ lost to residential with Herts County Council development (Forward Planning Unit) Housing 2.1a(1) Trajectory showing Welwyn Hatfield Planning 1. net additional Policy,Building Control, Housing ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ dwellings over the Services validated with Herts previous five year County Council (Forward period or since the Planning Unit) start of the relevant development plan document period, whichever is the longer Housing 2.1a(2) 2. net additional Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy, dwellings for the Building Control, Housing ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ current year Services validated with Herts County Council (Forward Planning Unit)

2 Local Development Framework Monitoring: A Good Practice Guide ODPM March 2005.

27 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Theme Core Description Name of Data Provider Target Target Target Target Output Date Date Date Date Indicator 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 Reference Housing 2.1a(3) 3. projected net Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy, additional Building Control,Housing Services ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ dwellings up to the validated with Herts County end of the relevant Council (Forward Planning Unit) development plan document period or over a ten year period from its adoption, whichever is the longer Housing 2.1a(4) 4. the annual net Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy, additional dwelling Building Control, Housing ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ requirement; and Services validated with Herts County Council (Forward Planning Unit) Housing 2.1a(5) 5. annual average Welwyn Hatfield Planning number of net Policy,Building Control, Housing ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ additional Servces validated with Herts dwellings needed County Council (Forward to meet overall Planning Unit) housing requirements, having regard to previous years’ performances Housing 2.1b Percentage of new Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy, and converted Building Control, Housing ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ dwellings on Services validated with Herts previously County Council (Forward developed land Planning Unit) Housing 2.1c(1) Percentage of new Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy dwellings validated with Herts County ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ completed at Council (Forward Planning Unit) 1. less than 30 dwellings per hectare Housing 2.1c(2) 2. between 30 and Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy 50 dwellings per validated with Herts County ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ hectare Council (Forward Planning Unit) Housing 2.1c(3) 3. above 50 Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy dwellings per validated with Herts County ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ hectare Council (Forward Planning Unit) Housing 2.1d Affordable housing Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy, completions Building Control, Housing ☺ ☺ ☺ Services validated with Herts County Council (Forward Planning Unit)

28 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Theme Core Description Name of Data Provider Target Target Target Target Output Date Date Date Date Indicator 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 Reference Transport 3.1a Amount of Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy, completed non- Building Control, validated with ☺ ☺ residential Herts County Council (Forward development Planning Unit) within Use Classes Orders A, B and D complying with car parking standards set out in the local development framework Transport 3.1b Amount of new Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy, residential validated with Herts County ☺ ☺ development Council (Forward Planning Unit within 30 minutes and Transportation Unit) public transport time of a GP; a hospital; a primary school; a secondary school; areas of employment; and a major retail centre(s) Local Services 4.1a Amount of Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy, completed retail, Building Control validated with ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ office and leisure Herts County Council (Forward development Planning Unit) Local Services 4.1b Amount of Welwyn Hatfield Planning Policy, completed retail, Building Control validated with ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ office and leisure Herts County Council (Forward development in Planning Unit) town centres Local Services 4.1c Amount of eligible Welwyn Hatfield Ecology & open spaces Landscape (Environmental ☺ ☺ managed to Green Services) and Finesse Leisure Flag Award Partnership Standard Minerals & N/r N/r Herts County Council Minerals N/r N/r N/r N/r Waste and Waste teams Flood 7.1 Number of Environment Agency utilising Protection planning High Level 12 data and monthly ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ applications summary of planning applications granted contrary to on web site validated with the advice of the Welwyn Hatfield Development Environment Control decisions Agency on either flood defence grounds or water quality

29 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Theme Core Description Name of Data Provider Target Target Target Target Output Date Date Date Date Indicator 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 Reference Biodiversity 8.1a Changes in areas Welwyn Hatfield Ecology & and populations of Landscape (Environmental ☺ ☺ biodiversity Services) HEF, Herts Biological importance, Records Office including: 1. change in priority habitats and species (by type) Biodiversity 8.1b 2. change in areas Welwyn Hatfield Ecology & designated for Landscape (Environmental ☺ ☺ their intrinsic Services) HEF, Herts Biological environmental Records Office value including sites of international, national, regional, sub-regional or local significance Renewable 9.1 Renewable energy Welwyn Hatfield Development Energy capacity installed Control and Building Control ☺ ☺ by type applications

Key N/c N/r ☺ data not no data returned Achieve Partial Not achieved currently collected

7 Analysis of National Core Output Indicators Business Development

7.1 Welwyn Hatfield accounts for around 11 per cent of Hertfordshire’s GVA (Gross Value Added) Over the period 2003- 2009 GVA in the district is expected to under perform the county, with growth of 2.9 per cent per annum compared to the County growth of 3.1 per cent per annum to 2009.

7.2 Government and other services account for a larger proportion of employment in Welwyn Hatfield than the county average. Over the period 2003-2009 total employment in the district is expected to grow by 0.6 per cent per annum, slightly slower than the average growth expected in the county (0.7 per cent per annum). The unemployment claimant count for Welwyn Hatfield in April 2005 was 953, a rate of 1.6 per cent. This was slightly above the county rate of 1.4 per cent, but below the region as a whole.

30 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Table 15 : Business Development

Core Output 1a 1b 1c 1d 1e 1f Indicator Reference Amount of Amount of Amount of Employment Losses of Amount of floorspace floorspace floorspace by land supply by employment employment developed for developed for employment type land in 1. land lost to employment employment type, which is (hectares) development residential C3 by type by type, in on previously /regeneration (hectares) completed employment or developed areas and 2. gross internal regeneration land local authority floorspace areas defined area (m2) and allocated in LDF 1. 2. B1 3781 3781 100.0 N/c B1(a) N/c N/c N/c N/c N/r N/r 0.90 B1 (b) N/c N/c N/c N/c B1 (c) N/c N/c N/c N/c B2 0 0 0 N/c B8 1210 1210 100.0 N/c B mixed 17877 17877 100.0 N/c B uses total 22868 22868 100.0 All data is specified as square metres or hectares (ha) and measurements are not confirmed as gross internal floorspace.

Key N/c N/r data not currently no data returned collected

7.3 Table 15 indicates that 100% of the land developed for industrial/commercial purposes of schemes of 1000 sq. m. or more in Welwyn Hatfield in 2004/05 was on previously developed land. All of the gross floorspace completed took place within employment areas.

7.4 It is evident from the table above, that some of the data is not currently collected. Whilst data is collected on the supply and loss of employment land, this data is not split into the use classes required or specified in hectares. Some floorspace data is currently collected from information submitted on planning application forms. Applicants do have the option to apply for speculative consents which allows them flexibility in the type of B1 use they have depending on their business requirements. In the majority of cases this data is not fully completed on the forms and requires calculation from the plans. This is a time consuming activity, and until such time as completion by the applicant of the data on planning application forms is made mandatory by the Government it will be difficult to achieve with the resources available.

7.5 The appendices to this report gives details of the current monitoring of employment land in the district during the monitoring year. Key findings from the employment land monitoring is given in the executive summary.

Housing

7.6 Welwyn Hatfield Council carried out the annual housing land availability survey in April 2005, for the period from 01/04/04 to 31/03/05. The results of this survey have been used to inform the Local Development Framework Core Output indicators for housing as set out in the Local Development Framework Monitoring Good Practice Guide.

31 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

7.7 The housing trajectory indicated is drawn from data collected during the annual land availability survey, and the trajectory shows core output indicators 2a (1 to 5).

7.8 The core indicator information for 2a (1) ‘net additional dwellings since the start of the relevant development plan document period’ and 2a (2) ‘net additional dwellings for the current year’ is shown in Table 16.

Table 16 : Residential Completions and Demolitions 1 April 1991 to 31 March 2005

Period No. of Completions No. of Demolitions No. of net additional dwellings 01/04/91 - 31/03/92 373 29 344 01/04/92 - 31/03/93 285 43 242 01/04/93 - 31/03/94 250 9 241 01/04/94 - 31/03/95 489 5 484 01/04/95 - 31/03/96 225 14 211 01/04/96 - 31/03/97 237 9 228 01/04/97 - 31/03/98 143 19 124 01/04/98 - 31/03/99 135 42 93 01/04/99 - 31/03/00 119 82 37 01/04/00 – 31/03/01 155 9 146 01/04/01 – 31/03/02 110 24 86 01/04/02 – 31/03/03 405 26 379 01/04/03 – 31/03/04 1038 34 1004 01/04/04 – 31/03/05 565 26 539 Total 4528 371 4158

7.9 Core Indicator 2a(3) says that the trajectory should show the projected net additional dwellings up to the end of the relevant development plan document period or over a ten year period from its adoption, whichever is the longer. This year the housing trajectory in Figure 2 shows the projection from 1991 to 2011, which is the plan period. It shows that the district will be in a position of oversupply at the end of the plan period when measured against the housing requirement set in the Structure Plan for the period 1991 to 2011. The trajectory has not been projected to 2015, 10 years from adoption, as there is currently only one allocated site that is expected to deliver after 2011. A further site identified in the District Plan as an area of opportunity for mixed-use development in Policy EMP3 is also likely to bring forward housing development but the precise mix of uses will be brought forward in a piece of Supplementary Planning Document which is identified in the Council’s Local Development Scheme for adoption in April 2007. Appendix 1 to this report demonstrates that by the end of the plan period a total of 7329 dwellings will have been constructed (5712 +1617) against a requirement of 6055 (this figure includes an allowance for demolitions). With a to build requirement of 280 dwellings a year this demonstrates that the district has a ten year supply of housing from adoption (4 years @ 280pa = 1120, 1120 + 6055 = a requirement of 7195 for the period 1991-2015 with a total potential supply of 7329 for the period 1991-2015).

7.10 The Council has identified in its LDS that an Urban Capacity Study will be carried out in the financial year 2006/2007. Work carried out to inform the draft Regional Spatial Strategy carried out by Roger Tym Associates projects that the district has capacity within its existing settlements for an additional 5800 dwellings for the period 2001 to 2021.

32 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 7.11 Core indicator 2a(4), the annual net additional dwelling requirement, is 280 units, this is derived from the Hertfordshire County Structure Plan requirement of 5600 units in the District for the period from 1991 to 2011. This is illustrated on Figure 2 by a straight horizontal line.

7.12 Core indicator 2a(5) is the average annual number of net additional dwellings needed to meet the overall housing requirement compared to the annual housing requirement and this figure is 286. Figure 2 indicates that by 2007/2008 the Council will have a minus net additional dwelling requirement indicating that we will have met the Structure Plan dwelling requirement.

Figure 2: Housing Trajectory - Period 1991-2011

1200 1100 1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 -100 -200 Net Dwelllings -300 2007/8 2008/9 1991/92 1992/93 1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2009/10 2010/11 -400 -500 -600 Actual completions -700 -800 Projected annual completions (site based) -900 Annual requirement taking account of -1000 past/projected completions -1100 Structure Plan allocation annualised over 20 -1200 years Year

Core Output Indicator 2.1(b) The percentage of completions on previously developed land

7.13 The national target is that by 2008, 60% of additional housing should be provided on previously developed land and through the conversion of existing buildings, in order to both promote regeneration and minimise the amount of greenfield land being taken for development.

7.14 The gross number of dwellings completed between April 2004 and March 2005 was 565 units, of these 60 were on Greenfield sites with the rest on previously developed land. The percentage of new and converted dwellings on previously developed land is therefore 89.4% during this monitoring year. Over the last 4 years, the percentage of completions on previously developed land has ranged from nearly 53% to 100%.

33 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Figure 3: Percentage of new and converted dwellings on Figure 4: Previous land use of completions on previously previously developed land April 2001 to March 2005 developed land

13% 100 26%

Residential 80 Ind/Commercial Uses Other

60 61% % 40

20

0 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2002 2003 2004 2005 Year

7.15 The pie chart demonstrates that the majority of completions on previously developed land in the past year were on sites previously used for industrial/office and commercial purposes, a large number of which were on the former Hatfield Aerodrome site and on the former Catomance site in Bridge Road Welwyn Garden City. The ‘other’ category comprises largely completions on former educational land (the former Sir John Newsom school and Oaklands College in Lemsford Road Welwyn Garden City) with a few completions on former health, training and agricultural land.

Core Output Indicator 2.1c (1 to 3) The density achieved on new development

7.16 Paragraph 58 of PPG3 ‘Housing’ (March 2000) advises local planning authorities to:

To avoid developments which make inefficient use of land (less than 30 dwellings per hectare); To encourage housing development which makes more efficient use of land (between 30 and 50 dwellings per hectare); and Seek greater intensity of development around places with good public transport accessibility. Although development should be built in such a way, which is appropriate to the location within this average.

Table 17: Density of Housing Completions 2004/2005

No. of units Percentage of units completed completed No. of Completions at less than 30 dph 43 7.6% No. of Completions between 30 and 50 dph 366 64.8% No. of Completions at more than 50 dph 156 27.6% Total 565 100%

7.17 Over 90% percent of units completed in the monitoring year were on sites with a density of over 30 dwellings per hectare. As can be seen from Table 18 below those developments that fell below that threshold were all small-scale comprising fewer than 10 dwellings.

34 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Table 18: Completions on Housing Sites with a Density of Below 30 dph

Site Size (in 1 2 3 5 6 8 units) No. of sites 15 7 1 2 1 1 No. of Comp 15 14 3 8 1 2 Units

7.18 Of the 565 housing completions in the year, 160 were affordable units. This figure represents 28% of all housing completions. For the period 2001-2004 the average was 23%, this compares favourably with a regional average for the East of England of 11% of total supply. This figure is below the target in the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy of 30% across the region and 40% in areas of housing stress.

Transport

7.19 Data on accessibility to key services and employment is not currently collected. This is due to the Fastplanning system not having the capacity to monitor car parking provision on either planning permission or completed developments and will be reviewed in 2005/2006.

7.20 In the interim data will have to be collected manually for car parking and will include disabled and cycle parking) in all types of development completed. This will act as a way of monitoring the effectiveness of the Council’s Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Guidance, which supports saved District plan Policy M14 – Parking Standards for New Development. Owing to the definition requiring the percentage of completed non-retail development being expressed, agreement will need to be reached on the following: Whether a pro-rata rate is given each year, particularly on larger sites which may take a number of years to finish or only record sites when they are fully completed.

Table 19: Car Parking Standards for Non-Residential development and Accessibility to Key Services

Core Output Indicator Reference 3a Amount of completed non-residential N/c development within UCOs A, B and D complying with car parking standards set out in the LDF 3b Amount of new residential development within N/c 30 minutes public transport time of: a GP; a hospital; a primary; a secondary school; areas of employment; and a major retail centre(s)

Key N/c N/r data not currently no data returned collected

35 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 Local Services

Core Output Indicator Table 20 : 4a Amount of completed retail, office and leisure development Reference Retail A1 Retail A2 Office Leisure

A1 net & gross A2 net & gross B1a gross internal D2 gross internal internal internal floorspace sq floorspace sq m floorspace sq m floorspace sq m m completed completed completed completed net gross net gross 2004/05 0 0 0 13,576* Definition used A1 minimum 2500 sq m, A2, B1a and D2 minimum 1000 sq m* based on one site.

Key N/c N/r data not currently no data returned collected

7.21 During this monitoring period only one A1 retail site of more than 1,000 sq m was completed in the year and this was for 1865 sq m, which is lower than the minimum floorspace of 2500 sq m. During this first year, as an interim measure, data is only collected in line with the regional indicator guidance. For the monitoring period 2005/2006, data will be collected and reported at the following thresholds: 2500 sq m and above to allow comparisons with regional monitoring of the Regional Spatial Strategy and below 2500 sq m to develop effective local monitoring.

7.22 There were no A2 retail or B1a office floorspace completed at the size monitored during the year. The only D2 site completed was outside of the town centre, the boundaries of which are defined on the Proposals Map of the adopted District Plan.

7.23 Data is not currently collected as both net and gross internal floorspace in square metres. In the first instance data will be sought from planning application forms. Development in 4b areas will be determined from town centre areas defined on the District Plan Proposals Maps.

Table 21: 4b Amount of completed retail, office and leisure development in town centres

Core Output Retail A1 Retail A2 Office Leisure Indicator Reference 4b A1 net & gross A2 net & gross B1a gross internal D2 gross internal internal floorspace internal floorspace sq floorspace sq m floorspace sq m sq m completed m completed completed completed 0 0 0 0

7.24 Data on eligible open space is not currently collected in the format required. The Council is aware that at least one of its public open spaces (Stanborough Lakes) holds the Green Flag Standard. Work is continuing to establish whether the remaining open space, this includes land owned by the Council and Town/Parish Councils. It is hoped to report this data in full by 2006/2007.

36 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Table 22 :4c Amount of eligible open spaces managed to Green Flag Award standard

Core Output Indicator Data not currently collected Reference 4c

Flood Protection and Water Quality

Table 23: 7 Number of planning applications granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency on either flood defence grounds or water quality

Core Output Flood Defence 2003/04 Water Quality 2003/04 Indicator 0 0 Reference 7 Source: Environment Agency High Level Target 12.

7.25 The Environment Agency raised objection to four planning applications in Welwyn Hatfield during the period 2003/04. The reason for the objections were either the risk of flooding or the absence of a Flood Risk Assessment. On the submission of further information, three of the objections were withdrawn by the Agency and planning permission was granted subject to conditions. The outstanding application has not been determined by Welwyn Hatfield.

7.26 The Environment Agency made no objection on water quality grounds to applications in Welwyn Hatfield during 2003/04.

Biodiversity

7.27 The Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre (HBRC) is the Council’s primary ecological advisor on planning applications and policy development. The HBRC holds information on the number and amount of Wildlife Sites, and updates this data annually. “Wildlife Sites” includes nature reserves and SSSIs (sites of special scientific interest), as well as local sites defined following a county-wide Phase 1 Habitat Survey by the Herts. and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

7.28 The Council will continue to discuss with the HBRC how information on changes in area designations and priority habitats can be recorded and presented in future years. Welwyn Hatfield has already included loss of Wildlife Sites in its list of local indicators.

Table 24 : Changes in areas and populations of bio-diversity importance including:

Core Output Indicator 8(1) Change in priority habitats 8(2) Change in areas designated for their Reference 8 and species (by type) measured in intrinsic environmental value including sites hectares of international, national, regional, sub- regional or local significance measured in hectares Partially collected Partially collected

37 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

7.29 SACs are areas that have been given special protection under the European Union’s Habitats Directive. They provide increased protection to a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats and are a vital part of global efforts to conserve the world’s biodiversity.

7.30 The district contains a small part of the Wormley-Hoddesdon Park Woods; this site was designated as a Special Area of Conservation with effect from 1 April 2005.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

7.31 There are 5 Sites of SSSI)s in the District, collectively they extend to just over 337 hectares. Table 25 shows the condition of the SSSIs.

Table 25 : Condition of SSSIs in Welwyn Hatfield 2005

Condition of SSSIs Ha % Favourable/recovering 68 20 Unfavourable/declining 109 32 Unfavourable/recovering 39 12 Unfavourable/no change 121 36 Total 337 100 Source: English Nature (September 2005). Based on assessment over the period 1998-2005.

Wildlife Sites

7.32 There are currently 206 ratified Wildlife Sites in the district, covering 2305 hectares of land. Table 26 shows that the number of wildlife sites has remained constant over the last couple of years. The areas of wildlife sites were refined in 2002 and ‘species wildlife sites’ were given an area of 0.00 ha, whereas previously they may have had a greater area.

Table 26 : Wildlife Sites in Welwyn Hatfield 2001 – 2004

Dec 2004 Dec 2003 Dec 2002 Dec 2001 Wildlife Area (ha) Wildlife Area (ha) Wildlife Area (ha) Wildlife Area (ha) Sites Sites Sites Sites Welwyn 206 2305 206 2305 204 2365 204 2350 Hatfield Source: HBRC 2005

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)

7.33 Five Local Nature Reserves have been designated in the district whose area covers approximately 275.5 hectares.

Renewable Energy

Table 27 :Renewable energy capacity installed (completed) by type in megawatts.

Core Output Indicator Renewable Energy Type Megawatts Reference 9 Solar Collectors N/c

38 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

7.34 Two applications were approved for solar collectors on residential buildings through the Council’s Estate Management Scheme. Whilst both applications have had the collectors installed no details were included as part of the application on the energy output of the collectors i.e. megawattage.

39 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

APPENDICES

40 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 Employment Land Availability

This is a summary of the survey and analysis of floorspace change (in square metres) in Welwyn Hatfield of Use Classes A and B of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. The detailed breakdown of these is shown below. Table A is a summary of development activity for the year. Table B shows the floorspace changes in each of the land use categories and the net change using April 1991 as the base date.

Key findings:

The past year has seen a net increase in employment generating floorspace of 19,952 square metres.

The largest net increase in floorspace during the past twelve months has been a net gain of 21,659 square metres of Class B1 Business floorspace. This has largely been due to the completion of the IO Centre on Hatfield Business Park.

The survey has shown a high potential net increase in floorspace of 145,595 square metres. Many of the developments, when surveyed, were either under construction or yet to be started.

There has been a net loss of 5,155 square metres of employment floorspace, including 3,781 square metres of Class B8 Storage and Distribution and, 142 square metres of B2 General Industry.

There has also been a net loss of 225 square metres of Class A Retail floorspace, and a net increase of 249 square metres of Class A3 Food and Drink. A2 Financial and Professional Services has remained unchanged during the year.

The results show a net increase in Class A and Class B floorspace over the last year. This further adds to the growth since 1 April 1991, with the completed net change in floorspace now totalling 237,100 square metres.

Table A : Development Completed 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005

Use Class Category Gains Sq. m Losses Sq. m. Net Change Sq. m A1 Retail 1940 -225 1715 A2 Financial & Professional 0 0 0 Services A3 Food & Drink 299 -50 249 B1 Office Use 0 -318 -318 B1 Business Use 21658 -639 21019 B1 Total 21658 -957 20701 B2 General Industry 0 -142 -142 B8 Storage & Distribution 1210 -3781 -2571 Totals 25107 -5155 19952

41 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Table B: Floorspace Change

Use Class Completed Net Development in Developments still Potential Net Total Net Change Category Change April progress as at 1 to come as at 1 Change as at 1 April 1991 to March 1991 to 31 April 2005 April 2005 April 2005 (in 2005 (Completed March 2005 progress and still and Potential) to come) Gains Losses Gains Losses A1 Retail -12689 0 0 18683 -11768 6915 -5774 A2 Financial 1298 0 -213 0 -71 -284 1014 & Professional Services A3 Food & 7385 260 0 7067 0 7327 14712 Drink B1 Office 72399 22703 -85 65652 -17578 70692 143091 Use B1 Business 7647 3234 -922 41998 -2163 42147 49794 Use B1 Total 80046 25937 -1007 107650 -19741 112839 192885 B2 General -19522 0 0 23510 -22873 637 -18915 Industry B8 Storage 180612 0 -301 24835 -2373 22161 202773 & Distribution Totals 237100 26197 -1521 181745 -56826 149595 386695

42 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Residential Land Availability

This report summaries the main findings of the Residential Land Availability survey which covers the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005. The report is produced annually in accordance with Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing, paragraphs 76 and 77 and policy IM3 and paragraph 9.19 of the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan adopted April 2005.

The purpose of this appendix is to outline the key findings of the latest report, and covers the following topic areas:

• Housing Supply • Development on Previously Developed Land • Density.

Housing Supply

In order to plan, monitor and manage the supply of housing in the District it is important to ensure that there are sufficient housing units identified within the District. to meet the annual housing requirement as set out in the adopted Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991 –2011 Adopted April 1998. The allocation for Welwyn Hatfield for this period is 5600 residential units.

Table 1 below indicates the requirement and supply of residential units, and shows that at April 2005 the Council has a surplus of units and at this time no further housing sites need to be identified.

Table C: Strategic Land Requirement and Supply

Housing Requirement Total Structure Plan Allocation April 1991 – March 2011 5600 Add Demolitions 371 - completed - outstanding 24 - estimated 2005-2011 (ave. 10 pa) 60

Total Requirement 6055

Housing Supply Completions to 31 March 2005 4529 Under construction 532 Outstanding permissions not yet started 651

Total Supply 5712

43 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Table D: Housing Land Supply

Total Requirement April 1991 – March 2011 6055 Total Supply April 1991 – March 2005 5712

Total Requirement from April 2005 – March 2011 343 .

Potential Supply April 2005 – March 2011 Windfall Allowance (6 yrs at 25 dpa) 150 Sites identified in the District Plan (without approval) 1467

Total Potential Additional Supply 1617

The number of completions during the monitoring year 2004/05 was 565 gross or 539 net dwellings. This figure greatly exceeds our annual target of 280 dwellings per year. Whilst this years figure was almost 500 less than last year it is the second highest completions figure in the past 14 years. This is largely down to a continuing large number of completions on the Hatfield Aerodrome site (261 units).

The predicted supply of housing land is calculated from windfall or unexpected sites and from identified District Plan sites. The windfall figure for the past year was 69 units, 37 of which were from a single site on the Great North Road, in Hatfield and the remaining 32 from small windfall sites (less than 10 dwellings), this figure provides continuing justification for our 25 per year windfall allowance figure.

The ‘sites identified in the District Plan figure’ excludes all those sites or parts of sites that have been granted permission prior to 1 April 2005 (a large part of HS1, HS2, HS4a, HS5, HS8, HS9, HS10, HS17) in order to avoid double counting and this is why it is a lower figure than that in Policy H1.

Affordable Housing

There have been 158 affordable completions in the past year, this is 28% of the total gross completions, or 29.4% of the total net completions. Of the net commitments (1183 units) there are 435 affordable units, which is 36.8%. Therefore, whilst the target has not been reached this year it is likely to be exceeded in the next year or so, leading to an average of at least 30% per year.

Previously Developed Land

Of the 565 gross completions in the past year, 505 were on previously developed land, which equates to 89.38% of the total this far exceeds the Government target of 60% of residential completions on previously developed land. The previous land use of the completions on previously developed land were 61% industrial/office/commercial uses, 26% on residential land, including knock down and rebuild residential development and intensification and 13% on ‘other’ uses, such as education, health, training and agricultural land uses.

44 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Density

Government guidance contained in PPG 3: Housing advises that local planning authorities should avoid the inefficient use of land. Policy H6 of the adopted District Plan requires efficient use of land of between 30 and 50 dwellings per hectare. The following table gives the number of completed units at the three densities stated in PPG3.

Table E: Density of Housing Completions 2004 –2005

No. of units %age of units completed completed No. of Completions at < 30 dph 43 7.6 No. of Completions between 30 and 50 dph 366 64.8 No. of Completions at > 50 dph 156 27.6 Total 565 100

The greatest percentage of completed units is on sites with a density of between 30 and 50 dwellings per hectare. This is in line with Policy H6 of the adopted District Plan.

45 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Table F: Table of Studies – Baseline Data for development of the Evidence Base (previously completed and new studies studies commenced)

Title of Study Date Plans to update/replace, LDD/’saved’ plan relationship(s) Housing Needs Survey (District-wide) 1999 New survey undertaken in Autumn 2004, jointly commissioned with Hertsmere Borough Council. Final report. Draft report received May 2005 and will be reported upon in 2005/2006. Explores opportunities to expand extent of survey to meet the needs of specific groups. To inform/update saved policy and to inform development of Core Strategy/Site Allocations DPDs Employment Space Needs (joint county 1999 Informed development of Structure Plan and District Plan. Central wide study) Hertfordshire Employment Land Review commissioned for 2005/06 with St Albans City & District Council and Hertsmere Borough Council. To take stock of the existing situation qualitatively and quantitively, create a picture of future employment requirements and make recommendations for a portfolio of employment sites. A study of rural employment sites in Welwyn Hatfield will also be undertaken. This project will inform the development of Core Strategy/Site Allocations DPDs. Also required to inform development of Broadwater Road SPD. Urban Potential for Housing 1998/1999 Informed the development of the Housing Chapter of the adopted District Plan 2005. Undertaken prior to publication of ‘Tapping the Potential’. Further in-house work undertaken to inform Structure Plan/RSS. Plans to update/replace with new Housing Capacity Study in line with best practice in 2006/2007. Assessment of Retail Floorspace 1998, Informed the development of the Retailing and Town Centres Requirements 2001-2011 updated Chapter of the adopted District Plan 2005. Plan to update following 2002 publication of best practice advice and of PPS 6. Work to inform Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPDs and site specific SPDs. Assessment of the potential for retail 2000 Informed the development of various site specific and generic development in Welwyn Garden City policies in the adopted District Plan 2005. Review in light of publication of PPS6, best practice advice and update of retail floorspace requirements. Habitat Survey 1997, Informed the identification of Wildlife Sites in the adopted District updated Plan 2005. No plans to update at the current time, although this will 2002 be kept under review in association with those in this specialist field. Hatfield Town Centre Redevelopment 2000 Informed the development of policies in the adopted District Plan Strategy 2005 and Hatfield Town Centre East revised Planning Brief. Review in light of PPS6 best practice advice and update of retail floorspace requirements Welwyn Garden City Town Centre 2002 Review in light of publication of PPS6 and best practice advice and Strategy work to develop the WGC Development Brief SPD Open Space Survey Jan 2001 Informed the development of associated policies in the adopted updated District Plan 2005. Plan to update, in light of advice in PPG17 and to Nov 2001 be compliant with PPS6. Expand to cover Leisure, Community and and Open Space assessments. December 2002 Playing Pitch Provision Study June 2002 Informed the development of associated policies in the adopted District Plan 2005. Consider update together with the Leisure, Community and Open Space Studies.

46 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005

Title of Study Date Plans to update/replace, LDD/’saved’ plan relationship(s) Evidence Gathering/ Baseline Data 2005 Building on existing monitoring capacity explore opportunities to onwards work through the Hertfordshire Technical Chief Officers group to seek continuous improvements in knowledge/evidence base. Explore opportunities for best value through joint monitoring procedures.

TABLE G: Welwyn Hatfield Age and Sex of Population3

Age Range Total Males Females 0-4 5675 2858 2817 5-9 6306 3164 3142 10-14 6081 3036 3045 15-19 6108 3044 3064 20-24 7468 3865 3603 25-29 5695 2733 2962 30-34 6700 3230 3470 35-39 7648 3652 3996 40-44 7143 3656 3487 45-49 6229 3216 3013 50-54 6155 3071 3084 55-59 5132 2536 2596 60-64 4476 2165 2311 65-69 4644 2210 2434 70-74 4267 1933 2334 75-79 3466 1462 2004 80-84 2339 934 1405 85-89 1415 460 955 90 and over 606 138 468 Totals 97553 47363 50190

3 ONS Census 2001 ©Crown Copyright 2003

47 Welwyn Hatfield Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 List of Key Stakeholders Consulted at draft stage

English Heritage English Nature Countryside Agency Environment Agency National House Builders Federation National House Builders Control Services Ltd East of England Regional Assembly Government Office for the East of England Herts. Biological Records Herts. Environmental Forum Herts. County Council - Forward Planning Unit - Passenger Transport Unit - Transportation Policy - Gypsy Liaison

Welwyn Hatfield Council • Building Control • Housing • Landscape & Ecology • Development Control • Environmental Health • Policy & Communications • Transportation • Partnerships • Community Safety • Waste Services • Community Services

Dacorum Borough Council Hertsmere Borough Council East Herts District Council North Herts District Council Stevenage Borough Council Three Rivers District Council Broxbourne Borough Council St Albans City and District Council Watford Borough Council Finesse Leisure Partnership Welwyn Hatfield Alliance Hatfield Town Council Essendon Parish Council Northaw & Cuffley Parish Council North Mymms Parish Council Welwyn Parish Council Woolmer Green Parish Council Ayot St Lawrence Parish Meeting Ayot St Peter Parish Meeting

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