HERTFORDSHIRE GUIDE TO GROWTH–2021 FIVE YEARS ON
JAMES HULME SUSAN PARHAM ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The research and drafting of this report were undertaken by Centre for Sustainable Communities Research Fellow, James Hulme. Dr. Susan Parham defined the research topic and brief and co-wrote and edited the final report. A planning and design team kindly provided by Paul Roberts at Turnberry Consulting to support the project provided assistance with interviews and other research tasks. Thank you to Stephanie Grey, McKenzie O’Neill and Thomas Powell for their work on the research and to Dave Gibson at Draught Associates for designing the report. To UH Press thank you to Sarah Elvins and Jane Housham for all their work in bringing this report to publication.
We are very grateful to Andrés Duany, author of the original Hertfordshire Guide to Growth for his expert input which is documented in the report. We are also grateful to all those interviewed or completing questionnaires for offering their time and very useful views. A special thank you to Des Welton for all his help during the process. Many thanks also to all those who kindly supplied visual material, sources for which are noted in the body of the report. These include Turnberry Consulting, The Duchy of Cornwall, The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, Ben Pentreath and Associates, Gascoyne Cecil, Hertfordshire County Council, First Capital Connect, David Lock and Associates, Ben McCabe/University of Hertfordshire, Look! St. Albans, Feria Urbanism and the BRE.
Finally, a debt of gratitude is due to the external funder whose very kind donation made possible this research work.
ISBN 978-1-909291-32-40 Copyright 2014 © University of Hertfordshire Published by the University of Hertfordshire Press Printed in Great Britain by The Charlesworth Group, Wakefield, WF2 9LP HERTFORDSHIRE GUIDE TO GROWTH–2021 FIVE YEARS ON
JAMES HULME SUSAN PARHAM
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION 8 5 EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE - SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN 26 1.1 Background to the research 8 5.1 Reviewing The Guide’s ‘urban village’ model 26 1.2 Aims of the research 8 5.2 Overview of good practice developments in Hertfordshire 27 1.3 Overview of the research process 9 5.3 Design work by Gascoyne Cecil Estates 27 1.4 Overview of the research methods 9 5.4 The Hertfordshire Building Code 28 5.5 Regeneration of Old Hatfield 28 2 THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN CONTEXT 10 5.6 Birchall Garden Suburb proposal 30 2.1 National planning five years on 10 5.7 Hatfield Food ‘Retrofit’ Guide 30 2.2 The economy and growth 10 5.8 Watford – transport oriented development 31 2.3. National planning policy 10 5.9 The Natural House at the BRE Innovation Park 31 2.4 Green belt land 11 2.5 Collaborative planning 11 6 EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE - COLLABORATIVE PLANNING PROCESSES 32 2.6 Neighbourhood Planning and Neighbourhood Development Orders 11 6.1 Current status of collaborative planning 32 2.7 Community Right to Build (CRTB) 11 6.2 The Old Hatfield Charrette 33 2.8 Collaborative planning in practice since 2008 12 6.3 The Mill Green Charrette 33 2.9 Sustainability policy 12 6.4 Look! St Albans 34 2.10 Innovations in architecture and urban design – some brief examples 13 6.5 Dacorum collaborative planning workshops 35 6.6 Letchworth town debate 36 3 HERTFORDSHIRE’S GROWTH POSITION - KEY TRENDS AND PERSPECTIVES 16 6.7 Panshanger mini charrette process 37 3.1 Overview of perspectives from local authorities 16 6.8 Building Research Establishment (BRE) input on the Hertfordshire Charrette 38 3.2 Summary of local plans and housing growth in Hertfordshire 16 3.3 Local Authority trends and perspectives 17 7 E XAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE - SUSTAINABILITY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 39 3.4 Welwyn Hatfield 17 7.1 Hertfordshire Building Futures 39 3.5 Dacorum 19 7.2 Building Research Establishment (BRE) - GreenPrint 39 3.6 Stevenage 20 3.7 East Hertfordshire 21 8 CONCLUSIONS FROM THE RESEARCH 41 3.8 North Hertfordshire 22 8.1 Planning and housing assumptions 41 3.9 Watford 22 8.2 Cross-boundary sites and working – need for a new structure plan? 41 3.10 Broxbourne 23 8.3 Role of the Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Planning Partnership 41 3.11 Hertsmere 24 8.4 Urban and architectural design – active promotion of design solutions 42 3.12 Three Rivers 24 8.5 Active promotion of design solutions – possible role of the Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Planning Partnership 42 4 THE INFLUENCE OF THE HERTFORDSHIRE GUIDE TO GROWTH 25 8.6 Active promotion of design solutions – Charrettes and related process 42 4.1 Settlement patterns 25 4.2 Sustainability 25 REFERENCES 43 4.3 Collaborative planning 25
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES LIST OF ACRONYMS
Figure 1: The transect approach as a basis for shaping urban development at Tornagrain (Source: Turnberry Consulting) ATOC – Association of Train Operating Companies Figure 2: Tornagrain development (Source: Ben Pentreath and Associates) BRE – Building Research Establishment Figure 3: Queen Mother Square, Poundbury (Source: Duchy of Cornwall) Figure 4: Knockroon town extension (Source: Image by Richard Ivey, courtesy of The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community) CABE – Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
Figure 5: New housing, Roussillon Park, Chichester (Source: Ben Pentreath and Associates) CPRE – Campaign for the Protection of Rural England Figure 6: New housing, Accordia, Cambridge (Source: Wikicommons) CRTB – Community Right to Build Table 1: Housing growth position by Local Authority area
Figure 7: Urban Village Model (Source: Hertfordshire Guide to Growth, 2008) DCLG – Department for Communities and Local Government Figure 8: Small infill redevelopment in Old Hatfield (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) DfT – Department for Transport Figure 9: Hertfordshire Building Code (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) Figure 10: New infill housing development on Arm and Sword Lane , Old Hatfield (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) HIPP – Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Planning Partnership Figure 11: Hatfield station redevelopment (Source: Hertfordshire County Council) HPG – Hertfordshire Planning Group Figure 12: Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield, redevelopment visualisation (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) Figure 13: Plan of proposed Birchall Garden Suburb, Welwyn (Source: David Lock Associates) LEP – Local Enterprise Partnership
Figure 14: Food ‘retrofit’ visualisation in a new town setting (Source: illustration prepared by Ben McCabe) NPPF – National Planning Policy Framework Figure 15: Croxley Rail Link plan (Source: Open Source image) NDO – Neighbourhood Development Order Figure 16: Prince’s Foundation Natural House (Source: Open Source image) Figure 17: Old Hatfield Charrette masterplanning outcomes (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) PINS – Planning Inspectorate Figure 18: Mill Green Charrette area visualisation (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) RSS – Regional Spatial Strategy Figure 19: Look! St. Albans design engagement process (Source: Look! St. Albans) Figure 20: Dacorum collaborative planning workshops process (Source: www.feria-urbanism.eu) SEP – Strategic Economic Plan Figure 21: Panshanger mini charrette process (Source: Centre for Sustainable Communities, University of Hertfordshire) SPD – Supplementary Planning Document Figure 22: Hertfordshire Charrette process (Source: Hertfordshire Guide to Growth) Figure 23: Hertfordshire Building Futures (Source: Building Futures website) SSCI – Scottish Sustainable Communities Series
Figure 24: BRE’s GreenPrint method in Herts Guide to Growth (Source: Hertfordshire Guide to Growth) TOD – Transport Oriented Development Figure 25: BRE Innovation Park, Watford (Source: Peter White, BRE)
7 1. INTRODUCTION
Five years ago the University of Hertfordshire and our Chancellor, Lord Salisbury, 1.2 Aims of the research =dl]VkZ^hhjZhd[Zck^gdcbZciVa sponsored the Hertfordshire Charrette, which was guided by Andrés Duany with sustainability been approached? The research aimed to do three things: assistance from the BRE and Turnberry Consultants, and involved a wide range of =dl]VkZigVchedgiVcYVXXZhh^W^a^in stakeholders with interests in the future of the county. Unusually, the Charrette IdgZk^Zll]ZgZlZ]VkZXdbZ considerations been taken into account? had a broad focus on placemaking across the county rather than looking from in the nearly five years since at just one settlement. It offered Hertfordshire residents and professionals the Hertfordshire Guide to Growth =dl]VkZi]ZcZZYhd[Wjh^cZhhVcY retailing been considered and what the opportunity to work directly with a design team developing sustainable was produced as a result of the Hertfordshire Charrette process; outcomes have occurred? growth strategies. IdXdch^YZgY^gZXi^dch[dgi]Z[jijgZ^c =dl]VkZYZkZadebZciegdedhVah That process produced the excellent Hertfordshire Guide to Growth (2008) which relation to the county’s development responded to these challenges? focused on six general ‘Scenarios’ by which the county might grow in the years in the light of the ideas generated for =dl]VkZhdX^VaVcYgZhdjgXZcZZYh until 2021, and an analysis of typical urban models, including a critique of the making Hertfordshire a better place to live; and been taken into account? design of the New Town of Stevenage, and case studies, including village and hamlet extensions. IdYgVlXdcXajh^dchdci]ZWVh^hd[ L]ViheZX^ÒXYZh^\chigViZ\^Zh]VkZ the findings and analysis, for any been employed to respond to the full range of sustainability and resilience Since that time certain ‘structural’ things have changed. The county’s growth further work to assist in the objective of making Hertfordshire a better requirements spanning economic, targets in the form of housing allocations put forward by the East of England Plan place to live. social and environmental factors at were abandoned, as was the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). The National Planning play in the county? Policy Framework (NPPF) and the new Localism and Decentralisation Act came Specifically, in the light of the six scenarios =VkZi]ZegdedhVah^ci]ZHertfordshire into force. Yet similar issues for the county remain: how to deal sustainably with and the case studies set out in the Hertfordshire Guide to Growth, the research Guide to Growth helped to guide the pressures and requirements for growth; how to improve resilience in relation to the explored the following questions: direction of development and planning environment, and the social and economic life of the county; and how to harness in the county at strategic, settlement the benefits of development while minimising any cost to communities. =dl]VheaVcc^c\egVXi^XZViXdjcinVcY wide and neighbourhood level? national level influenced the nature of development in the county since 2008? >hi]ZgZXdci^cjZYhXdeZ[dgjh^c\ Against this backdrop it seemed timely to review where we have come from and charrette methods to explore and consider directions for the future in relation to the county’s future development in address these considerations in a the light of the ideas generated by the Hertfordshire Guide to Growth. holistic way at strategic level and in local and regional practice? This intensive three-month research project has recently been completed and has produced this report: the Hertfordshire Guide to Growth – Five Years On.
8 1.3 Overview of the of proposed growth – Welwyn Hatfield Stage One comprised a detailed desktop Stage Two of the research process was research process Borough Council, East Hertfordshire study of written sources about planning, primarily comprised of interviews and District Council, Dacorum Borough development and housing growth in evidence gathering. This included: The research for this report has been Council and Stevenage Borough Council. Hertfordshire, also reviewing literature undertaken by Centre for Sustainable dealing with regional and national issues 9Zh`idegZk^Zld[iZc8dgZHigViZ\^Zh Communities Research Fellow, James Interviews have also been conducted where appropriate. The focus was on the and Local Plans across Hertfordshire; Hulme, reporting to Dr Susan Parham, with a number of landowners in the following questions: the Centre’s Head of Urbanism, who county who are intending or may in C^cZiZaZe]dcZ"WVhZYVcY[VXZ"id" defined the research topic and brief future seek to develop landholdings for L]Vi]Vhi]Z 9 2. THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN CONTEXT 2.1 National planning five years on demand remaining at 250,000 homes per The expansion of the private rented sector Framework was adopted on 26th March 2013 year based on long-term national household is a significant influence on the direction of and published on 27th March, 2012. At the The landscape of both the UK housing market projections. housing, with as yet unknown consequences heart of the Framework is the “presumption and planning policy for growth has changed for new home building. Currently, most in favour of sustainable development”. considerably since the Hertfordshire Charrette took House prices for both new and previously activity in the rental sector is focused on the Simultaneously, the Regional Spatial place in June 2008, with major impacts on both built homes had, by mid 2013, recovered to letting of previously built homes, with only Strategies (RSS) that determined housing the direction and scale of new home delivery. their 2007 levels and continue to rise in the limited discernible appetite for build to let. growth targets nationally have been revoked, The most influential factors on growth patterns in overheated markets of London and the South New incentives for take up of Build to Let by meaning local authorities are responsible the intervening five years have been a depressed East. This trend is fuelled by the resurgence Government, as well as a shift in attitudes to for determining, and delivering, the scale of national and global economy, consistently low in confidence in the London economy, with residential rental by institutional investment, growth in their own Local Plan making. These numbers of UK housing starts, a change of an influx of foreign investment spending may promote the market for new build homes plans must however be determined “sound” government in 2010 and subsequent revision of at the top of the market, which has led to for rent in the near future. by independent examination, ensuring the planning policy with the intention of deregulating a cascade effect in London and the South provision of housing and other elements of and stimulating a moribund construction industry. East diaspora, including Hertfordshire. Price 2.3 National planning policy land use are consistent with economic and levels have brought renewed buoyancy social needs. 2.2 The economy and growth to the development sector, with housing The general election of May 2010 had been starts calculated as six per cent greater by fought against a backdrop of global economic Detractors of the National Planning Policy From mid 2006 the withdrawal of confidence Summer 2013 than the figure at Quarter Two recession, the collapse of the banking Framework, including the National Trust, in the housing sector (triggered by the US sub- 2012. However, the UK housing market is sector in autumn 2008 and a depressed Campaign for the Protection of Rural England prime mortgage crisis) saw a steep reduction in still moving cautiously, with both mortgage UK economy, particularly the construction and the Daily Telegraph newspaper, (which credit available to house-builders and mortgage borrowing and housing starts representing sector. The new coalition government sought launched a campaign against the proposals) borrowers. This led to a drastic fall in housing some fifty per cent of 2007 levels. Access to to stimulate housing growth as a priority, in have suggested that the streamlined rules starts, with UK numbers over the five year period development finance also remains limited for particular through major reforms to planning offer a mandate to developers to press their 2007-2012 dropping to a quarterly average of builders of new homes. policy guidance (the Planning Policy Guidance legal right to build at scale and in rural 25,000, half that of the market’s peak in Quarter series of documents) issued by central locations where Local Authority plans are One 2007. The total number of housing starts Despite the stimulation of the mortgage government. Proposals were released in July incomplete or out of date. Campaigners for 2012 remained under 100,000; continuing market through the Help to Buy initiative, 2011 to reduce thousands of pages of detailed also claimed the National Planning Policy to reflect a weak market despite government limited borrowing capacity remains the norm guidance on housing layout and density, Framework had weakened policy for the incentives to new build on both demand and for many in the housing market, especially town centres, energy conservation, heritage, development of brownfield land first, as supply sides. These measures include the new entrants aspiring to home ownership. ecology, flood risk, and other aspects of the well as that which supported town centres coalition government’s New Homes Bonus (a Compounded by the undersupply of new built environment to just fifty-two pages of as the location for major retail rather than grant aid scheme to local authorities rewarding homes, this has two major implications – the mandatory policy called the National Policy out-of-town shopping centres. Certainly, the growth), Get Britain Building (a time limited reduction in owner occupation, a significant Planning Framework (NPPF). threat of challenges to indeterminate Local loan scheme for developers) and most recently, driver of the new homes market, and an Plans by major developers hung over a good Help to Buy (government backed mortgage emerging affordability crisis (especially for Faced with a sustained campaign from the proportion of local authorities some months credit lending for buyers). This low annual first time buyers) that has propelled housing Conservative voter “heartland” revisions were after the deadline for the production of plans supply figure contrasts sharply with a forecast and growth up the political agenda. made, before the National Planning Policy set by the Secretary of State as April 2013. 10 The key innovations of the National Planning Policy 2.4 Green belt land planning, a movement that has been gaining in areas without parishes. It is the role of the Framework are: force in the UK since the 1970s, has become Local Planning Authority to determine the The last point, concerning green belt, is of a statutory stage in planning for growth. The legitimacy of a representative neighbourhood The abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies and their particular relevance to Hertfordshire’s growth publication of the Localism Bill (2011) included forum proposed for any given neighbourhood. centrally determined housing targets. plans. The politically charged professional planning reform in a raft of measures designed (www.planningportal.gov.uk) and public debate on National Planning Policy to give local communities a stronger say in how The preparation of Local Plans by every Local Framework saw both Secretary of State Eric they develop. Neighbourhood forums and parish councils Authority, assessed through independent Pickles and then Planning Minister Greg Clarke can use new neighbourhood planning powers examination. make unequivocal statements that green belt One of the main principles embedded in the to establish general planning policies for the was protected under the new measures. There National Planning Policy Framework proposals development and use of land in a neighbourhood. The evidence based assessment of housing land is a large amount of uncertainty in Hertfordshire was the devolution of planning decision-making These are described legally as neighbourhood provision within the Local Plan. as to the position in relation to green belt land, to a local level, involving local people. In line with development plans. In an important change where a large proportion of the available land this principle, several novel statutory mechanisms to the planning system, communities can Plans will have to be compliant with the National for development is currently thus designated. were introduced that grant local development use neighbourhood planning to permit the Planning Policy Framework and be realistic and powers; most notably the Neighbourhood Plan, development they want to see – in full or deliverable in both housing targets and sites, in order Hertfordshire’s location close to London, Neighbourhood Development Orders and the in outline – without the need for planning to be found sound. with quick commuter rail links at the heart Community Right to Build. applications. These are called Neighbourhood of the acutely undersupplied South East Development Orders. (www.planningportal.gov.uk) Local authorities have a duty to cooperate with housing market makes it both a focal point Consistent with these initiatives, local authorities neighbouring authorities on cross boundary planning and test bed for the coalition’s attempts to have a duty to involve local people in the Proposed neighbourhood development plans or as geography, travel to work areas and prevalent stimulate growth. Interview findings seem preparation of Local Development Documents. A Orders need to gain the approval of a majority of housing markets require. to suggest that differences exist between consideration in the soundness of local plans is voters of the neighbourhood to come into force. If parliamentary policy direction and the views the early and thorough consultation with local proposals pass the referendum, the Local Planning Local authorities without up to date Local Plans of the electorate and council leaders in this, a people. This gives further weight to the principle Authority is under a legal duty to bring them into will have no mechanism to refuse development traditionally Conservative led area. Throughout of collaborative planning; both first principles and force (www.planningportal.gov.uk). They must proposals. this research, planners have pointed to the the development of specific sites. however be in line with the National Planning abolition of centrally established housing Policy Framework, be compliant with the Local Neighbourhood Plans, which must be compliant with targets and perceived uncertainty on issues Plan and be compatible with EU obligations and the Local Plan, can be written as supplementary such as green belt as factors leading to 2.6 Neighbourhood Planning human rights. The point of compliance means planning guidance for communities who want uncertainty, and delay, in the county’s growth and Neighbourhood Development that NDPs cannot be used as a mechanism to to implement specific amenity or aesthetic plans. Orders (NDOs) inhibit development or growth determined in the improvements (e.g. neighbourhood facilities, locally local plan. owned housing or design guidance). 2.5 Collaborative planning Neighbourhood planning can be taken forward by two types of body - town and parish councils 2.7 Community Right to Build (CRTB) There is a general presumption against inappropriate Since 2008, the emergence of several or neighbourhood forums. Neighbourhood development of Green Belt land, unless very special new statutory instruments suggests that forums are community groups that are designated Even without a Neighbourhood Plan, a circumstances can be demonstrated. government ordinance for collaborative to take forward neighbourhood planning Community Right to Build is a type of 11 Neighbourhood Development Order that Communities In Planning that promoted good partnership of a landowner-promoter with was established in 2006. The yardstick for allows certain community organisations to collaborative planning practice throughout an experienced practitioner in the field. The delivery of low energy homes was the Code bring forward smaller-scale development England. The supporting groups who bid to offer period in question for this research has been for Sustainable Homes, which established on a specific site, without the need for collaborative planning advice were Planning one of both financial restriction for developers a stepped scale of performance levels from planning permission. This gives communities Aid, Locality, the Campaign for the Protection of and planning uncertainty, so collaborative one to six, which could be adopted as targets the freedom to develop small-scale housing Rural England (CPRE) and the Prince’s Foundation planning practice has been focused on much by developers and local authorities. Code schemes and other facilities that they want. for Building Community (PFBC). Using written longer-term timeframes; notable examples Level 6 represented a house with a “Zero (www.torridge.gov.uk) guidance, advice portals (telephone, email and include Tornagrain, a new community in North Carbon” footprint, to be achieved through a social media) and live demonstration projects East Scotland promoted by the Moray Estates. A combination of excellent thermal insulation Community right to build orders are subject with local communities, the scheme successfully Charrette approach was initiated by the Estates for all fabric elements and on-site renewable to a limited number of exclusions, such introduced the new neighbourhood planning in February 2007, and successfully led by Duany energy provision. as proposals needing to fall below certain mechanisms, as well as the National Planning Plater Zyberk. At the other end of the country, thresholds so that an Environmental Impact Policy Framework to a broad range of new the Ashfield Estate in Hampshire has used Adoption of higher levels of the Code has, Assessment is not required. Proposals are participants in community planning activities. collaborative planning to propose a new urban during a period of innovation, been either subject to testing by an independent person extension to Romsey, employing the Prince’s the decision of individual developers and a community referendum (Planning Portal. In Scotland, government’s active support for Foundation for Building Community and using its or included as a condition of planning April 2013). collaborative planning came through the Scottish Enquiry by Design methodology. permission at the discretion of local Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI). authorities. Additionally, certain funding The emergence of these instruments posits the Launched in 2008 the Scottish Sustainable It is salutary that Hertfordshire has become a regimes have stipulated a Code requirement, kind of local control and fine grain assessment Communities Initiative aimed to raise standards centre for good collaborative planning practice in particular the mandatory adoption of of sites that would facilitate many of the design and promote skills in sustainable housing led since the Charrette of 2008. Combining factors Code Level 3 by builders of affordable interventions (particularly infill sites) explored developments, and to reward exemplars of of large housing growth pressures and a scarcity housing funded or part funded through through the Hertfordshire Guide To Growth. community development. Of particular note was of suitable sites has prompted the adoption the Government’s Homes and Communities Additionally, their adoption as policy and the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative of Charrette or similar processes in several Agency. To date, achievement of the upper promotion by national government has led to Charrette Series, a month-long programme boroughs. Worthy of mention, too, is the Code performance levels (4-6) has been a groundswell of new collaborative planning in which the firms Duany Plater Zyberk (DPZ) relatively high level of knowledge on planning generally confined to largely experimental initiatives that are themselves a validation of and Turnberry, combining design and planning issues in the local population, further stimulating or one-off high value homes, while the the Charrette approach. disciplines, conducted Charrettes on three sites an active debate on growth. All these factors technologies needed to achieve these levels across Scotland. The series, which took place in have led to an ongoing programme of Charrette continue to develop for mainstream markets. 2.8 Collaborative planning in March 2010, considered growth strategies and type engagements across the county. Some of practice since 2008 proposed urban design solutions for Ladyfield these feature as case studies later in this report. In general, the dialogue on energy (Dumfries), Lochgelly (Fife), and Grandhome performance for new homes continues Concurrent with the issue of the National (Aberdeen). 2.9 Sustainability policy to centre on debate about the validity of Planning Policy Framework for consultation, the Zero Carbon target. Relying on a high the coalition government announced a As well as government supported initiatives, The energy performance of new homes in degree of technological dependency, zero Department for Communities and Local the private sector has also actively promoted England and Wales has been under scrutiny since carbon homes will remain expensive to both Government funded scheme Supporting collaborative planning, usually through the the timeline towards Zero Carbon Homes 2016 build and run, despite savings in energy 12 consumption. The legal framework for energy market areas. The cautious state of the performance is Part L of the building regulations housing market has meant few new large and is next due to be upgraded in 2014. The schemes have been proposed and still fewer debate is now shifting to the efficacy of a developed beyond the drawing board. “fabric first” approach to building, improving The recession also dealt a significant blow the thermal envelope of buildings to the highest to attempts to promote design quality. In possible standard. Meanwhile, policy changes in particular the scaling back and merger of the Figure 1: The transect approach as a basis for shaping urban development at Tornagrain (Source: Turnberry Consulting) the energy generation sector such as widespread Commission for Architecture and the Built adoption of wind power and the re-emergence Environment (CABE) with the Design Council of nuclear sources are intended to decarbonise meant that very little new national guidance the supply chain for domestic heating and on urban design has been forthcoming. lighting. Whilst this is consistent with the coalition At the scale of the neighbourhood or town, government’s localism agenda and the the retraction of town centre and brownfield strictures of the National Planning Policy planning policies at the national level leaves Framework, further promotion of the new decision making about land use planning to urban design and urbanist models that had local authorities. Early evidence suggests gained such strong ground since the Urban that this will be a move backward for low Task Force report of 1998 seems unlikely in carbon policies focused on housing density the foreseeable future. While examples of and sustainable transport. Unfortunately, local good current practice do exist, they remain Figure 2: Tornagrain development (Source: Ben Pentreath and Associates) authorities will be obliged to consider more the exception rather than the rule, and in peripheral housing sites brought forward for the absence of any strong forum for debate, development by the private sector as easier and opportunities for sharing valuable lessons Tornagrain, Inverness-Nairn corridor cheaper to develop than more central, previously are likely to be lost. developed land. The implication for Hertfordshire The Moray Estates scheme for nearly 5000 homes in a new community is an established of this relaxation of the environmental policy The scope of this report does not permit a component of the A96 (Inverness-Nairn) Corridor Growth Strategy. It is the largest new framework is considered later in the report. critique of poor urban design practice since development planned by Duany Plater Zyberk to a “transect” based settlement pattern (see 2008 although examples are plentiful. illustration above) and urbanist principles of mixed use, walkable neighbourhoods and attractive architecture. 2.10 Innovations in architecture However, it is worth referring to some recently built developments or schemes and urban design – some brief in planning that demonstrate good UK A decision notice on the outline application is expected to be issued shortly and, based on examples urban and architectural practice that is this timetable, the scheme is now in a detailed design phase, anticipating an application consistent with the settlement models for the first homes in 2014, once developer commitment is in place. In addition to housing Planning and designing for construction of and design characteristics promoted in proposals, Moray Estates are advancing a detailed infrastructure scheme. Coordinating all course continued through the downturn, albeit the Hertfordshire Guide to Growth. Some aspects of funding and planning timetables, Moray anticipate being on site in the fourth at a reduced rate and focused on high value examples are offered below. quarter of 2014. 13 Figure 3: Queen Mother Square, Poundbury (Source: Duchy of Cornwall) Figure 4: Knockroon town extension (Source: Image by Richard Ivey, courtesy of The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community) Poundbury, Dorchester Knockroon, East Ayrshire The Duchy of Cornwall has continued to develop Poundbury, Dorchester’s urban extension, to An urban extension to the East Ayrshire town of Cumnock was proposed as part of a masterplan by Leon Krier. When completed Poundbury will have 2250 homes, a population the revival of the Dumfries House Estate in East Ayrshire. Zero C and Hope Homes of around 4500-5000 and around 2500-3000 people working there. With the establishment of have been the lead developers of an urban extension that will eventually see the distinct neighbourhood centres, walkable and pedestrian friendly street patterns, and a mix of uses completion of 700 homes in distinct neighbourhoods. The first phase has been and housing tenures, Poundbury arguably represents the most consistent urbanist development brought to market and contains a range of house types designed in a Scottish in the United Kingdom. The scheme has now reached a mature phase with the building of the vernacular style. South West Quadrant and the advanced status of the new retail and commercial centrepiece of the development, Queen Mother Square. 14 Figure 5: New housing, Roussillon Park, Chichester (Source: Ben Pentreath and Associates) Figure 6: New housing at Accordia, Cambridge (Source: Wikicommons) Roussillon Park, Chichester Accordia - Cambridge An infill development of contemporary urbanism by Zero C developments, Roussillon Accordia is an infill scheme on previously developed land in Cambridge, built between 2003- Park utilises a former military brownfield site close to the centre of Chichester. 2010 by Countryside Properties to a brief by Cambridge City Council. The development includes Designed around traditional street patterns, including garden squares, the scheme 378 dwellings (of which 166 are flats and 212 are houses); of these 30% are affordable housing. incorporates a range of houses and flats in a complementary architecture updating The site also accommodates new build offices, although not integrated with the homes. The the city’s Georgian character for contemporary living. Urban design features include developers appointed Feilden Clegg Bradley as main architects of Phase 1 with other elements active street frontages, hidden car parking, home zones, pedestrian safe streets and by Maccreanor Lavington and Alison Brooks Architects. Although the design of phases differs, the retention of mature planting to enhance gardens and green spaces. the scheme has a consistent urban character, with active street frontages, a predominance of terraced housing configurations, and the employment of a consistent palette of materials, principally local brick facings. Small gardens or roof terraces for each house are supplemented by larger areas of shared green space. 15 3. HERTFORDSHIRE’S GROWTH POSITION - KEY TRENDS AND PERSPECTIVES 3.1 Overview of perspectives 3.2 Summary of local plans up statements about future growth, housing numbers means that these from local authorities and housing growth in clear evidence that growth will continue findings must be viewed as tentative. Hertfordshire at the same rate as that proposed in However, it is possible to identify some In this section we review findings from the revoked Regional Spatial Strategy emergent patterns as follows: interviews with nine local authorities in of the East of England Plan is as yet In this section we provide a summary of Hertfordshire (one authority declined to take incomplete (see Table 1). Since the =djh^c\Xdbb^ibZciheZgnZVg^c the status and content of Local Plans in part in the research) and present conclusions Regional Spatial Strategy figures used adopted Local Plans match or even Hertfordshire, which is based on all available about the influence of the Guide for Growth in by the Hertfordshire Guide To Growth exceed Regional Spatial Strategy data at September 2013. With several of the relation to settlement patterns, sustainability, were for a period ending in 2021, and targets; Hertfordshire Local Plans undetermined or collaborative planning and Hertfordshire’s the emerging plans run up to ten years in the examination process, the most up-to- Strategic Growth Position as of late 2013. later, the most straightforward way to I]ZgZ^hXZgiV^cind[YZa^kZgnVXgdhh date projection of housing numbers within compare the two is through averaging a the South and West of the county; the forthcoming plan period has been used As discussed in Section 2, the national figure for homes built per annum. from each Local Authority. Where a range deadline for the submission of Local Plans I]ZgZ^hXdch^YZgVWaZjcXZgiV^cin^c exists, the upper figure has been adopted. for inspection was set by the Secretary of Of course, it is acknowledged that housing the centre and north of the county, State for Planning at March 2013. In terms of is only one aspect of growth, and can only and the North East corner; process, independent planning inspectors The planning changes reflected in the be provided in the context of employment, must look at all local plan documents that National Planning Policy Framework services, transport infrastructure, JgWVcY^hig^Xih!\ZcZgVaan!]VkZbdgZ local authorities in England prepare for an highlighted in the previous section of this education and health provision. advanced plans than rural ones; examination: the examination is the last stage report appear to have had a significant of the process for producing a local plan impact on the preparation of growth However, as with the Hertfordshire BVcn`ZnkVg^VWaZh^ci]Zegd_ZXi^dch (www.planningportal.gov.uk). The Planning strategies across Hertfordshire. With the Guide to Growth, the construction of rely on the resolution of cross Inspectorate (PINS) is the body responsible revocation of Regional Spatial Strategy new homes is a natural focal point for boundary dialogue; for examination of Local Plans, and maintains housing targets in the East of England Plan, analysis, with household projections a national database of Plan progress – at each Local Authority has had to determine for South East England vastly outpacing BVcnhigViZ\^Xh^iZhXVccdiWZ September 2013 half of the planning its own evidence base for growth over a predicted supply. Satisfying the demand adopted without cross boundary authorities in England had an adopted Local defined period. for residential development will be the working; Plan, although of these, only fifty-one had focus of construction in a recovering entered the examination process under the The emergence of the National Planning market, and new homes must therefore 8jggZci[dgZXVhihh]dlVc new National Planning Policy Framework. Policy Framework has also prompted the be the dominant signifier in any analysis undersupply of c250 homes per need for Local Plans to be prepared for of Hertfordshire’s growth performance. year across the county over the plan In Hertfordshire, the percentage matches the each Planning Authority – to date, three period, compared to the projections of national average with five out of ten planning Hertfordshire districts have adopted plans, The data needs to be viewed in the the revoked Regional Spatial Strategy. authorities having a Local Plan. Of these, one is submitted for examination, one context of half of Hertfordshire’s districts three Local Plans are approved, one is in the is in public consultation and five are at having indeterminate Local Plans. The process of examination and one more has different stages of drafting. While each of fact that the authorities without Local been withdrawn pending review. the ten planning authorities have drawn Plans are those with the highest posited 16 Table 1: Housing growth position by Local Authority area 3.3 Local Authority trends and perspectives As a note to the table, the numbers highlighted in green indicate that an Authority’s housing projection per annum exceeds the previous Regional Spatial Strategy target, while those highlighted in red indicate that the new figure of houses per annum will be lower than that set by the (now abandoned) It is worth noting to introduce this subsection Regional Spatial Strategy. Please also note that the period covered by the RSS goes only until 2021 while individual Authority targets variously stretch to that all Hertfordshire planning authorities were different end dates including 2026. One Authority noted that this could make comparing the figures misleading unless this was clearly emphasised. approached for comment, but particular priority was given to those authorities with large housing Authority CS Status Relevant public Housing Target Plan Length To Year Homes built RSS Target 2001- Projected growth projections in the former Regional Spatial document (years) p/a 2021 housing Strategy. Respondents were either planning units p/a officers or planning portfolio holders (elected Broxbourne Withdrawn 2011 after LDF Pre-Submission 3840 at 15 2026 256 5600 280 members) or both. All Hertfordshire planning receiving recommendations CS submission authorities were approached but not all chose to of Inspector’s examination participate in the research; with nine doing so. At the request of the majority of contributors, Dacorum Found sound at pre Draft CS 2010 10750 15 2031 430 12000 600 remarks have been anonymised. The high submission, submitted 22/6/13 growth authorities are considered first, rather than the largest authorities in terms of spatiality East Herts Projected date of issue for Draft District Plan, Pt 10-17,000 20 2031 850 12000 600 public consultation, end 1, preferred strategy pending housing or population. 2013 assessment Hertsmere Adopted Jan 2013 CS January 2013 3990 15 2027 266 5000 250 3.4 Welwyn Hatfield North Herts Housing Options Housing Options 10,700 20 2031 535 6,200* or 15,800** 310/790 consultation Feb 2013 Paper 2013 Welwyn Hatfield District Council officers and City and District St Pre-submission Consultation Dec 4,250 at 17 2028 250 7,200 360*** members participated in the Hertfordshire Albans 2010 consultation Charrette. In consequence the Authority are Stevenage LP issued for consultation A Plan for Stevenage 5,300 20 2031 265 6,400* or 320/800 familiar with both the subsequent Guide and June 2013 2013 16000** collaborative planning principles. Three Rivers Adopted October 2011 Adopted CS 17/10/11 4,500+ 15 2026 180 4000 200 Watford Adopted January 2013 LP1 - CS 6,500 25 2031 260 5200 260 For Welwyn Hatfield District Council, the Welwyn Hatfield Emerging CS under review Emerging CS 7,200 18 2029 400 10000 500 National Planning Policy Framework represents a November 2012 significant change in the policy landscape since Total projected houses per year across county CS 3812 Total Regional 4160**** the production of the Guide, and this seriously Spatial Strategy affects the Guide’s capacity to meaningfully influence both planning policy and growth * excluding potential extension of 9,600 homes N of Stevenage (in North Herts) ** including potential extension of 9,600 homes N of Stevenage (in North Herts) strategy in Hertfordshire. The abolition of the ***In Mar 2013, St Albans confirmed its commitment to target of 360 homes built per annum, until the determination of its CS Regional Spatial Strategy and the withdrawal ****North Stevenage proposed extension included once. This scheme is not currently regarded as deliverable by the Planning Inspectorate +note that individual authority target refers to the period between 2001-2026 whereas the period covered by the RSS goes only until 2021. of statutory housing targets for the county has 17 impeded growth plans within the county and be to what extent the Authority can meet may be uninformed about or hostile to planning for the significant amount of new housing introduced elements of confusion for planners, that objectively assessed need given the issues. However, Charrettes should have a high proposed for Welwyn Hatfield District Council. elected members and consequently the wider infrastructure requirements and the impact upon degree of specificity and contain deliverable Integrated, mixed-use solutions are desirable community. The principal issues affecting the green belt. proposals both in terms of site ownership and but a trend towards rising employment Welwyn Hatfield District Council are also economic viability. Examples cited within Welwyn densities in Welwyn Hatfield is compromising applicable to other authorities, especially those At Examination by the Planning Inspectorate, the Hatfield include the High View collaborative the viability of these because of the onerous with a wide choice of potential growth sites. identification of growth sites that do not meet planning initiative (employing Urban Initiatives). parking requirements of incoming tenants. The issues affecting both Welwyn Hatfield deliverability requirements would cause the local This reached a consensus on key regeneration Current expectations of households mean District Council and other authorities are set plan to be found unsound. Where sites have targets which will be taken forward subject to planning new homes without car parking out here in summary. many stakeholders and land owners, the level finding necessary funding. spaces is also unrealistic at present, though of complex co-operation required to make them the Authority anticipates the rising cost of In the preparation of local plans, local authorities developable is not realistic in terms of available Influence of the Guide to Growth in Welwyn motoring will be a more effective limitation of have to anticipate the potential both for plans resource. As a result sites such as this cannot be Hatfield car ownership and use in the long term. being found unsound at the Examination stage counted in housing site proposals or forecasts. if certain criteria are not met, as well as legal In relation to Hatfield Town Centre, however, the For the reasons above, several of the Guide’s Positively, Welwyn Hatfield District Council challenges from third parties to the validity of area was in multiple ownership which meant for design proposals are thought to be unfeasible recognise the value added to housing growth proposals. development to take place the council had to within the Welwyn Hatfield District Council area. developments by design quality and a apply for a compulsory purchase order and As well as allocating greenfield sites, brownfield reference to local vernacular, but that design Without a housing allocation target from the then use that Order to acquire the various and greyfield retrofit is Council policy, and retrofit standards are able to be met where values Regional Spatial Strategy, local authorities need interests, which is what they have been doing of former council housing estates, originally justify them. to determine an objectively assessed number and indeed Stage 1 of the redevelopment is planned at low densities, was an identified based on projected local demand as well as nearing completion. target of the Guide. In practice this may be It is impossible for Welwyn Hatfield District wider economic drivers. Facing significant compromised by the exercise of Right to Buy on a Council to support significant housing problems with land supply, Welwyn Hatfield The Duty to Co-operate is a key criterion at small number of homes on each site, making site growth without using the green belt. Central District Council, along with other local authorities Examination of draft Local Plans. As a result, assembly very difficult. government perorations on protecting nationally, are projecting lower numbers the Local Authority needs to demonstrate that green belt land have put the Borough in a (anticipating the testing of deliverability) than it has referred to neighbouring authorities in The viability of any infill scheme will depend difficult position and made it hard to consult the previous Regional Spatial Strategy figures establishing growth plans. It is fair to say that the upon the extent of the infrastructure to be meaningfully on the Local Plan, since residents – approximately 7200 in contrast to an Office government clearly sees the Duty to Cooperate provided. In relation to sites of between 1200- can object on the basis of this principle. of National Statistics growth forecast of around mechanism as replacing the previous strategic 1500 dwellings, current thinking suggests that 16,000. The position that the Authority is in at plans. It also clearly results in tensions when it is probably not economically sustainable to Environmental, Social and Economic present is that it is currently undertaking work one authority is looking to another to meet develop smaller sites if significant infrastructure Sustainability in Welwyn Hatfield to define their objectively assessed housing its housing needs and does result in complex to support a sustainable community is required need. This, of course, takes into account the discussions and negotiations. e.g. shops and schools. On environmental sustainability, the rising wider housing market and the impact of the performance standards of building regulations needs which are potentially unmet from other Charrettes or collaborative planning exercises Urban Extensions are therefore the most likely of have been more significant than local neighbouring authorities. The challenge will are valuable tools in engaging the public who the Guide’s settlement patterns to be put forward initiatives and will surpass them in terms of 18 influence over time. Assessment tools are as tools for consistent planning. Future work landowners or developers. It is therefore Charrettes or collaborative planning processes useful but standards and examples of good of this type would also benefit from being difficult for the Authority to unilaterally are valued by the Authority as both planning practice (from elsewhere) are more useful in more accessible to a wider audience and promote best practice in urbanism. However, and communication tools. With the Core planning terms. broader social mix. tools like the Guide to Growth offer a useful Strategy at a satisfactory stage of development, lexicon, especially for planners and members Dacorum is in a position to consult on proposed On wider social and economic sustainability, Finally, for Hertfordshire to plan for who are not trained urban designers. development sites in a meaningful way. The consistency and viability are key to success. sustainable growth, a cross-authority first stage of an engagement programme Welwyn Hatfield District Council offered the approach is needed. The former County Whilst the National Planning Policy with local residents took place in Spring and example of the Hatfield Community Initiative Structure Plans were offered here as a Framework stipulates a requirement to Summer of 2013 led by the Strategic Planning which was an effective force representing suitable template for a regional model. cooperate, this is not so simple in practice – Team and Feria Urbanism backed by councillors the new residents of the aerospace site Some cross boundary working has been neighbouring local planning authorities will (see Case Study – West Hemel). Charrettes through having paid staff as well as voluntary embarked upon with the re-emergence have their own priorities. have therefore been adopted by the Authority contributions by residents. Another example of the Hertfordshire Heads of Planning as a very useful tool, with the view that it is the recent community growing and market Group (HIPP), which has the ability to The premise of the Dacorum Core Strategy is is important to take people on the design garden initiative in central Welwyn Garden City, overcome partisanship and project a broader the promotion of successful growth through journey, not impose top down views and ideals which has been a great success, initiated by the countywide strategy. an identifiable community area (with shops, upon them. More often than not, people will council with volunteer support. schools and pubs) where a community can understand the need for development and 3.5 Dacorum set down its roots and grow, so the principle use such events as an occasion to influence Conclusions and recommendations from of the urban village is attractive. Delivery development in a positive manner. Welwyn Hatfield Dacorum Borough Council has a draft is, however, subject to the right sites being Core Strategy which was submitted brought forward, and the Authority does not Influence of the Guide to Growth in Dacorum The Hertfordshire Charrette and Guide to Growth for Examination in Summer 2013. The have a free hand. have their value in promoting positive change requirements of the National Planning Policy In practical terms, infrastructure delivery and increasing awareness of councillors and the Framework have been interpreted in the Notwithstanding this constraint, the recent and costs are the determining factor in site public on planning issues. Further initiatives of preparation of the Core Strategy. Core Strategy Sustainable Development selection and therefore development patterns this type are welcome, brought forward on a site- Strategy includes design principles and – all of the easy sites in the Borough have by-site basis. (We note that this view is offered None of the officers currently involved in plan provides links to the Hertfordshire Building already been utilised. Most straightforward support by the success of the Charrettes led preparation participated in the Hertfordshire Futures Guide and the Chilterns Design brownfield sites have been developed in by Gascoyne Cecil Estates, within the Borough Charrette. However, design guidance of Guide. An accompanying urban design Dacorum, and contamination issues make this boundaries). this type is seen as a welcome tool in plan guide is also important and the Guide to a very expensive option. New Town and Garden preparation, as well as good practice in Growth fills this gap. Guidance such as the City models are excellent in their mix of uses The buy-in of landowners is key and the viability collaborative planning. At the same time, the Chilterns Design Guide can outline suitable and community orientation, but stand-alone of settlement plans can only be ensured by large Authority saw itself as an assessor of design development without stipulating any “new garden communities” are not practicable single land ownerships maintained into the long briefs or plans rather than able to define good particular architectural style. In the view of given the Borough’s lack of suitable sites. The term. Tempering growth ideas with a recognition practice in urban design themselves. This is officers, good design will be appreciative of only feasible settlement patterns are therefore of constraints and economic realities would make mainly because of the ways in which sites surrounding styles and vernacular but can designated extensions to existing towns, and both Charrettes and Design Guides more effective are proposed for selection by private sector still respond in a modern way. the Core Strategy focuses on these. 19 As well as endorsing the principle of design The premise of the Guide correctly assumes Consistent with interviews held with National Product declining in real terms over the guidance, Dacorum has tried to implement growth and assumes that the Local other Hertfordshire planning officers, the course of the Plan period. Critically, the current policy towards public transport orientated Planning Authority can define where it Borough’s planning issues and concerns can settlement pattern of small to medium sized growth, despite the habitual reliance on goes. Unfortunately without another New be summarised as: towns (below 60,000 population) means that the private car by most homeowners. Town movement, while the urban principles the opportunity for more urban lifestyles and Rail oriented development, such as the underpinning such guidance are good, they 6h]dgi[Vaad[hj^iVWaZ]djh^c\aVcY better facilities will be lost. new Aylesbury Vale Parkway Station (in carry little practical weight. countywide; Buckinghamshire) and associated surrounding GZYjXi^dcd[]djh^c\cjbWZghegZhZciZY The Stevenage Core Strategy housing, is an exemplar to be aspired to in 3.6 Stevenage by borough councils and district councils this respect but difficult to deliver. in Local Plans; Stevenage’s Core Strategy was issued for When interviewed, representatives from ;V^ajgZdgV\ZhijgVaVeegdVX]idi]Z consultation in June 2013. Stevenage can fulfil Environmental, social and economic Stevenage Borough Council advocated “Duty to Cooperate” between borough its housing needs to 2031 (as defined by the sustainability in Dacorum the type of large scale spatial planning councils and district councils; National Planning Policy Framework) within approaches represented by the Guide. >chj[ÒX^ZciXgdhhXdjcinhigViZ\^X the current town boundaries. This is because Hertfordshire Building Futures is viewed as an Such initiatives, that attempted to consider thinking; the town currently experiences net outward excellent resource as it includes sustainable the county as a whole, crossing political 20 Influence of The Guide on Stevenage Conclusions and Recommendations 3.7 East Hertfordshire Influence of The Guide in East Hertfordshire from Stevenage Officers felt that the Hertfordshire Guide to The future development of East Officers in East Hertfordshire were aware of the Growth served as a useful primer for planning In terms of joint approaches, the work Hertfordshire is still subject to a large Hertfordshire Guide to Growth, and considered policy in general, but, as it did not address of the Hertfordshire Infrastructure number of variables, including housing it could be relevant both locally and nationally specific spatial and site issues, it fell short and Planning Panel (HIPP) and the numbers and site selection. and has the potential to be a tool promoting best of offering any solutions to the very real Hertfordshire Planning Group (HPG), practice in urban settlement, not only limited problems of growth faced by planners across represents a collective approach by The District Council has indicated that a to Hertfordshire. It was felt that while the Guide the county. In particular the Guide’s assessment planning officers and portfolio holders preferred strategy for the new Local Plan addresses fairly high-level design concerns, of Stevenage was based on assumptions about across the county. The Hertfordshire is likely to be published for consultation factors such as infrastructure delivery, financing, standard “New Town” spatial zoning models Infrastructure and Planning Panel towards the end of 2013 (early 2014 the economy, social and political dimensions rather than actual research into the Borough. members have committed to a once approved by Members). The range were also important, with impacts upon how Memorandum of Understanding leading of projected new housing numbers is growth is achieved. Stevenage’s preferred approach to settlement to a joint local strategic statement of dependent on a forthcoming assessment, planning is the urban extension model of agreement on Hertfordshire’s growth. This but could be anything between 10,000 In terms of settlement pattern, East Herts is 1000+ homes contained within mixed-use is designed to fulfil the Duty to Co-operate to 17,000 homes. The Council recognise already working at the moment on a series of neighbourhoods, creating the opportunity for required by the Planning Inspectorate, that having an objective assessment of the large planning applications which follow the sustainable living. This is evidenced in the although it is likely to represent a number of new homes needed will be a ‘urban extension’ model. In developing these, town’s most recent phase of growth, Great minimum level of housing requirement for critical factor in the Local Plan being found the Authority has adopted principles of urbanism Ashby (since 1999), an urban extension of most borough and district councils. It is sound at Examination by the Planning including density, the prioritisation of car free Stevenage located across the boundary in not attempting cross boundary approaches Inspectorate. travel and mixed use in its policies. North Hertfordshire. to settlement planning at any scale of ambition. The strategic statement will have Most of the sites under consideration Interestingly, the idea of a stand-alone Garden The designation of a green belt around to account for the likely housing under- represent urban extensions to existing City within the county was not ruled out as a Stevenage in 1979 has meant the debate on provision across the county, compared towns, with one of the largest proposals solution to the scale of growth anticipated. Such growth has often been emotive, with a degree of with the projections of the former East of being that for an extension to the north of a solution would overcome the pressures new public misunderstanding over planning issues. England Plan. Harlow (actually in Essex). This significant growth would put on the services and character Despite this, Stevenage has a track record of urban scheme is currently under review. of existing local towns. collaborative planning approaches to which It was the view of officers that there it is still committed as policy. Officers cited was an opportunity for the University With the Local Plan still in preparation, In terms of guiding development style, the the example of the Visioning Conferences on of Hertfordshire to take a leading role there is little scope to judge the influence Authority feels there is definitely a role for West Stevenage Growth back in 1989. The Core in planning a sustainable future for the of a document like the Hertfordshire Guide modern architecture and it is important Strategy was released for public consultation in county, which would bring all stakeholders to Growth. However, it can be argued that to generate new architectural styles, as a June 2013. When it has successfully completed together in positive dialogue. The the scale of projected growth in East Herts monotonous approach is not always healthy its draft stage and has sites established, University could act as “honest broker” means that it is one of the areas in which (Poundbury was cited negatively in this Stevenage will engage with local people on the on many issues currently subject to the determinants of better urban settlement regard). New styles and new development must settlement patterns guiding housing growth. fragmented approaches. patterns will have most impact. complement the existing fabric but develop 21 new models. However, the Guide’s approach to and backed by central government. Local North Herts will need to work with adjoining Watford grew steadily over one hundred robust block-based urbanism was preferred movements don’t receive the same backing authorities for delivery and it is very likely that years from a small historic market town to the looser patterns of Stevenage or Harlow so cannot currently carry the same weight or these sites will have to be master-planned. centre, due to its mainline railway and New Towns, which represented a patchwork of influence. The urban ideals of these movements Based on all sites that have been submitted to Underground transport links to central urban spaces not particularly worked up into are really something that Authorities should the Council, at least one of the strategic sites London. The arrival of the M1 motorway and an urban pattern. aspire to, but we are operating in a different will be required and all are located in the green ancillary roads into Watford led to extensive landscape than the past. However, the Guide belt. North Herts holds regular meetings with car dependent suburbs, a trend current Because the Council has not yet agreed on to Growth is a good tool to help identify and Stevenage Borough Council and have met most planning policies are trying to manage and the principles of development in particular explain the different options and therefore neighbouring Authority colleagues under the reverse. locations Charrette processes have not been helpful in the discussion. Duty to Cooperate. widely adopted to date. However the Authority Watford’s growth plans reflect its potential to has used workshops as a means to scope 3.8 North Hertfordshire The scale of development proposed means be a higher density urban area with a focus out locations etc. at a higher level. that North Hertfordshire is another location on brownfield regeneration and both house For collaborative planning to be effective, North Hertfordshire are in the process of in which guidance on settlement patterns and flat based residential schemes oriented it was considered important to agree on preparing their Local Plan, combining the and urban characterisation will be of great to public transport. With strong leadership the principle of growth in a particular location Core Strategy, Development Policies and Land importance once the site selection/Local Plan from an elected mayor, Watford is embracing first and then look at design. If Charrette Allocations documents. In progressing this, process is complete. The North Hertfordshire’s growth proposals robustly. processes were seen to help to break down they consulted on a Housing Options document Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on some of the resistance to new development, (February 2013) and a Housing Additional design is currently important in influencing all Watford adopted its Core Strategy (now they were likely to be widely adopted by the Location Options (July 2013). The Strategic development in the district. called the Local Plan Part 1) in January Authority in future. Housing Market Assessment identified a 2013 and is now progressing Local Plan number of possible housing targets, while the 3.9 Watford and the London Part 2, which will contain development Sustainability perspectives recent Housing Options document identified a fringe management policies and proposed site potential housing target of 10,700 as a figure to allocations. This went to consultation at the East Herts is currently undertaking a review of investigate in more detail. However, this has no Watford has a high population figure, close end of 2013. local standards and once that is done they will formal agreement. to that of Stevenage and Hemel Hempstead, have a better purchase on energy performance but with its tightly constrained boundaries, In Local Plan Part 1, six special policy areas measures for individual homes. They currently A number of strategic sites (1000 houses+) well-connected transport links and easy access are based along the revived Croxley Rail promote Hertfordshire Building Futures as a have been submitted to the Council including to London, is the most clearly defined “urban” Link, a former heavy rail alignment that useful tool, with local specificity. south west of Hitchin, north of Letchworth, environment in the county of Hertfordshire. will be reinstated and extended to meet east of Luton, Rush Green, west of Stevenage, the end of the Metropolitan Line, Watford Conclusions and Recommendations north of Stevenage, north east of Stevenage, Watford has aligned its Local Plan with those Branch. The branch will be diverted over from East Herts and north of Baldock. of neighbouring authorities, Three Rivers and the new line to run to Watford Junction Hertsmere, as well as having regard to the and the old Metropolitan terminus at Although Hertfordshire has a long, illustrious No decisions regarding which sites will be London Plan. The influence of the London Watford West will be closed. The new route history in terms of the Garden Cities and New taken forward have yet been made. However, conurbation has long been felt in this part of promotes better east-west links in Watford Towns, these movements were progressed in locations which straddle the boundary, Hertfordshire. and to neighbouring Three Rivers. Two new 22 stations, Ascot Road and Watford Hospital, HeZX^VaEda^Xn6gZV(ÄLVi[dgY=ZVai] with a preference for family housing planning on the Special Policy Areas, will make it possible to bring 2700 additional Campus, a joint venture with Kier that with gardens. beginning with the Health Campus, where households within 800 metres of a railway incorporates retail, office, industrial and facilitation is scheduled to be undertaken station in the Borough. The stations will also housing along with a new hospital replacing 6aaHeZX^VaEda^Xn6gZVh[ZVijgZi]Z by Shape East. Watford Borough Council is provide access to the hospital and a new Health Watford General. New parkland and a lake broadening of current planning ‘use currently progressing plans for Borough wide Campus, which will include 600 new residential will extend the existing Colne Valley green classes’ to encourage more diverse urban computer-generated fly-through imagery of units. The new line is funded through a space, and a district heating system will be patterns. Local Plan 1 plans for over 6000 future proposals as a public engagement tool. partnership of Network Rail, Hertfordshire incorporated; homes between 2009-2031 in line with County Council and the local authorities. the previous (now abandoned) Regional 3.10 Broxbourne HeZX^VaEda^Xn6gZV)ÄAdlZg=^\]HigZZi! Spatial Strategy target. Watford’s available The specific area proposals are: an existing retail and mixed-use area capacity will be exhausted after this point The timetable for the preparation of the in need of physical and environmental and it will look to partnership working Broxbourne Local Plan was published in HeZX^VaEda^Xn6gZV&"Idlc8ZcigZ" improvement, suitable for a variety of with neighbouring Hertsmere and Three September 2013. It schedules consultation provides a more balanced provision of town land uses; Rivers for further expansion. Both these on a draft Plan for February 2014, pre- centre facilities and infrastructure, including authorities have committed to the early submission publication for Autumn 2014 and retail, entertainment and other town centre HeZX^VaEda^Xn6gZV*Ä9dbZGdjcYVWdjiÄ review of their Local Plans. adoption by the end of 2015. A previous draft uses as well as access improvements. an existing out-of-town retail area plan was withdrawn in 2011 after receiving As well as public realm improvements, a needing physical and environmental In design terms, Watford is committed to the the recommendations of the Planning failing shopping precinct (Charter Place) improvement and diversification of land promotion of a better sense of place and has Inspector’s examination. This set a target of will be replaced by new retail floor space, uses, which could include some additional drawn up Supplementary Planning Guides 3,840 homes, which was significantly lower restaurant uses and a cinema; residential use; including a Residential Design Guide (2008 – than the previous Regional Spatial Strategy due to be revised) and the Watford Character estimate of a capacity for 5600 new homes in HeZX^VaEda^Xn6gZV'ÄLVi[dgY?jcXi^dc HeZX^VaEda^Xn6gZV+ÄLZhiZgc 23 thus knew little of the Guide prior to this 3.11 Hertsmere (SPD), which means that the standards the Borough plans to avoid encroachment research being undertaken. They are, and policies are used in the assessment on rural sites or green belt. Furthermore, however, broadly supportive of the type of Hertsmere Borough Council’s local plan of planning applications. It covers the through its planning policies the Core Strategy design solutions outlined in the Guide which was adopted in January 2013. It anticipates layout and appearance of domestic commits the Council to maintaining and align strongly with Broxbourne’s emergent the development of an additional 3,990 extensions and new house building, as enhancing the viability, vitality and variety of growth strategy. In particular, Broxbourne homes over the fifteen-year plan period, or well as commercial development, including shops and services within the principal town is currently grappling with the application 266 new dwellings per year. Hertsmere has changes to shop fronts. and key centres, ensuring they retain their of attractive and traditional Garden City committed to an early review of the plan viable retail and community offer. principles at a level of fine grain analysis, in three years, including its objectively Officers from Hertsmere contributed to the going beyond the accepted principles of assessed housing needs. It has also Hertfordshire Charrette, and their Planning By establishing a settlement hierarchy for density, walkability and green spaces to committed to joint working in plan review and Design Guide is closely aligned to the Three Rivers the plan distributes new growth interrogate how a series of small sites added with neighbouring Watford and Three principles of the Hertfordshire Guide to appropriately so that seventy-five per cent of incrementally to a town can be developed Rivers Councils whose local plans are also Growth, particularly in respect of urban new homes will be located in the principal in a coordinated fashion, with ancillary in place. planning of large developments and good settlement (Rickmansworth) or the key services and shops arriving at the right placemaking. centres of Abbots Langley, Chorleywood, time. Equally, without the benefit of a clean The Borough currently has a seven- Croxley Green, South Oxhey, Mill End, slate, and central planning function, can year land supply for new housing. With In reviewing the Hertsmere Local Plan, the Leavesden and Garston. new development achieve the Garden City approximately eighty per cent of the constraints placed by the extent of green ideal of minimal car dependency and the Borough being statutory green belt, belt in the borough will make it necessary Several of these centres already have strong optimisation of high quality public transport? the plan anticipates most of the new to ensure a high degree of cross boundary public transport links, and Croxley Green will Finally, the Borough is keen to assess what development taking place on brownfield dialogue with neighbouring authorities to benefit from the Metropolitan Line extension modern features of sustainable living – such land, and this is key to their Core Strategy. optimise otherwise difficult sites. The Duty described in the summary of Watford’s local as reduced water usage, lower domestic Additionally, most of this new development to Cooperate (now a legal requirement) plan (see p.22). Proposals for the Abbey Flyer energy loads and better recycling – can be will be in urban areas with access to public will therefore be a critical tool in long term light rail, if implemented, would similarly incorporated into the Garden City paradigm? transport, and the Core Strategy is closely planning in this part of the county. benefit Garston. aligned to future transport planning. In resolving these questions, Broxbourne There is little or no opportunity for urban 3.12 Three Rivers Three Rivers have committed to an early hope to arrive at criteria against which they extensions, Garden Villages or New Towns. review of their local plan, working in will assess sites proposed for development Three Rivers District Council Core Strategy partnership with Watford and Hertsmere. and programme these into the emergent The Borough has a Planning and Design was adopted in October 2011 and runs core strategy. In this light, urban design Guide that aims to promote higher to 2026. With approximately seventy- remains a priority for the Borough; one standards of design and layout in seven per cent of the Borough designated officer suggested that the cogent planning Hertsmere by setting out the key principles statutorily as green belt it focuses on formulae of the Guide to Growth could that they expect to be applied to new redevelopment of brownfield sites close be incorporated into the good practice development. First written in 2006 and to or in urban centres. By maintaining a guidance managed and promoted by revised in June 2013, it has been adopted policy target of at least sixty per cent of Hertfordshire Building Futures. as a Supplementary Planning Document new development using brownfield sites, 24 4. THE INFLUENCE OF THE HERTFORDSHIRE GUIDE TO GROWTH In this and subsequent sections 4.1 Settlement patterns 4.2 Sustainability forward for development (see Case Studies). we review the various ways that In several cases these are direct outcomes of the Hertfordshire Charrette and the Guide the Herts Guide to Growth has Most new growth in Hertfordshire is following The principles of environmental the models of infilling and retrofitting of sustainability have been embraced in the to Growth. Most authorities are embarking influenced planning, design existing urban space, where viable and adoption of housing standards across the on collaborative planning initiatives with and development within the deliverable, or urban extension for large county, and building regulations are still an independent consultant, offering county and beyond in the five strategic sites. While among those interviewed, seen as the principal lever for improving various delivery models across the county but working to the same principles of years since its first publication. the concept of the stand alone Garden Village energy performance. The reduction of or larger Garden City is recognised as the car dependency by better settlement engagement and transparency. Authorities This section covers areas opportunity for a “clean slate” approach to planning is regarded as a desirable goal but who have yet to determine development including settlement patterns, transport and services provision, few see much Authorities generally have little confidence sites are committed to consultation on sustainability and collaborative prospect of a real site being found for this that concomitant infrastructure provision their Local Plans and further site-specific collaborative planning policies downstream planning, while subsequent within the county. is deliverable, particularly public transport and specifically rail. of Plan adoption. sections reflect on case studies Limitations on large-scale infrastructure of good practice which we argue delivery, including transport, mean that few That said, aside from the examples of in a number of respects reflect transit or transport oriented developments transport oriented developments offered the Guide’s principles. (known as ‘TODs’) are envisaged at this time, above, there is no certainty that even though one authority, Watford, has embraced existing public transport provision across such transport oriented developments as the county will be optimised by new its principal settlement model where the development. Plans for other sustainable opportunity for reusing rail infrastructure features of new development, including exists, while another scheme with transport district heating, are emergent in some orientation elements, at Hatfield, is discussed urban locations. under Case Studies. 4.3 Collaborative planning In the north and east of the county, where large-scale housing growth is predicated, one It is positive to note that all authorities large urban extension, effectively a new town, within the county recognise the value of at Harlow North is under consideration, while collaborative planning, and that some are a stand alone ‘Garden Village’ is tentatively already dedicating resource to effectively proposed for Rush Green in North Herts. programmed consultation on sites brought 25 5. EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE - SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN The next two sections of the the consequential pavement become the central, Although urban villages can be easily The Guide also offered a list of urban village report give examples of good unavoidable focuses of public life. identified within Hertfordshire – in places attributes that formed the basis for shaping like St Albans, Hertford and Standon – this new development, as follows: practice in design, collaborative The Charrette’s proposals instead return to the sort of outcome is not typically envisioned planning, and sustainability traditional pattern of pedestrian and transport in the planning process, placing architects I]ZjgWVck^aaV\Z^hVXdbegZ]Zch^kZ initiatives across Hertfordshire oriented Urban Villages – an approach which has and developers in a peculiar position of planning increment: when clustered that are either direct outcomes been inadvertently sidelined in the post-war years. being unable to emulate the County’s most with others, it becomes a town; when These villages can be built as stand-alone settlements, admired, and indeed environmentally standing free in the landscape, it becomes of the Hertfordshire Charrette or can be clustered, to create larger developments. sustainable, historic patterns” (2008: 8). a village. The urban village varies in or otherwise align with the population and density to accommodate recommendations of the Guide to local conditions. Growth (2008). This section also I]ZjgWVck^aaV\Z^ha^b^iZY^cVgZVhdi]Vi includes a review of initiatives Figure 7: Urban Village Model (Source: Hertfordshire Guide to Growth, 2008) a majority of the population is within a within Hertfordshire that pedestrian shed of a five-minute walking promote sustainable planning The ‘Typical’ The Urban distance of its centre (this distance is and building more broadly. Post-war Model Village Model refered to as a pedestrian shed). The basic needs of daily life are ideally available within this area. This centre provides 5.1 Reviewing the Guide’s Office buildings Business Park the location for a bus stop or railway ‘urban village’ model Terrace housing station, convenience stores, work places, High Street shops community events, and leisure activities. Much of the current good practice within the county can be seen to owe a debt to the I]ZhigZZihVgZaV^Ydji^cVcZildg`hd Hertfordshire Guide to Growth’s urban village that there are alternate routes to most model. As the Guide stated at the time: Shopping Centre destinations. This disperses traffic, permitting most streets to be smaller “All the proposals generated by the design Houses and slower and, as a result, able to team are intended to offer an alternative to the support parking, trees, pavements, and continuation of the generally unsatisfactory buildings without buffers or setbacks. growth patterns which have been delivered They are equitable for both vehicles and by the post-war planning process within Housing estate pedestrians. Hertfordshire. These patterns can be seen to prioritise three aims: the free and rapid flow I]ZhigZZihVcYdi]ZgejWa^XheVXZhVgZ of traffic, the provision of high quantities of School spatially defined by building frontages parking and the segregation of building clusters School along the pavements in a disciplined by their purpose. The result is that traffic and manner, uninterrupted by car parks. 26 I]ZWj^aY^c\hVgZY^kZghZ^c[jcXi^dc!Wji appreciable scale around the United Kingdom compatible in size and in disposition on that were completed, on site or in planning. their plots. This allows for a harmonious These examples reflect the core principles mixture of houses (large and small), terrace espoused in the Hertfordshire Guide to Growth, houses, small apartment buildings, shops, and by advocates of urbanism in the UK, Europe, restaurants, and offices. North America and elsewhere. 8dbbjc^inWj^aY^c\h hX]ddah!Xdbbjc^in The examples also chime with principles halls, theatres, churches, clubs) are often advocated by the New Urbanism movement, placed on squares or at the termination of which is itself a response to the zoning street vistas. By being built at important presumption in post war planning, as locations, these buildings serve as evidenced in the layout of both New Towns landmarks. and other urban development of the late 20th century. Movements such as New Urbanism DeZcheVXZ^hegdk^YZY^ci]Z[dgbd[ are attempting to reverse this trend, by specialised squares, playgrounds, and parks demonstrating the environmental, economic and green belts. and social sustainability inherent in traditional settlement patterns, in particular before car use Figure 8: Small infill redevelopment in Old Hatfield (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) >i^h^bedgiVciidgZXd\c^hZi]VieVgi^XjaVg became universal. care is required with certain special cases As an historic estate able to take a long-term It is also the Estate’s policy to work up such as hospitals or universities, and that Because of the effects of the recession, there view, Gascoyne Cecil Estates will not partner small infill sites in the same way, taking the urban village model may differ slightly has been very limited building activity in in conventional housing development as a collaborative planning approach in the in these cases (2008: 8). Hertfordshire since the publication of the practiced currently in the mainstream. It development of sites around Old Hatfield Hertfordshire Guide to Growth in 2008, and is committed to the principles of urbanism (see p.33). This approach also has the This approach offers an important design most large schemes have stalled. However, outlined in the Hertfordshire Guide to potential to influence the regeneration context and reference point for the case studies there are some exemplars of good practice Growth; thus it will promote development of Hatfield New Town, especially its noted here. represented by smaller schemes as well as some with the type of land use mix, demographic neighbourhood centres, which face similar more ambitious proposals for strategic sites. range, income and tenure diversity that issues to Old Hatfield village, of poor or 5.2 Overview of good practice are typical of historic towns rather than absent identity or sense of place. developments in Hertfordshire 5.3 Design work by Gascoyne housing estates. Cecil Estates While Gascoyne Cecil Estates has little direct Earlier in this research report, a snapshot was The Estate takes an approach of long-term influence in Hatfield New Town, save some given of new schemes around the United Gascoyne Cecil Estates is one of the largest stewardship to the development of new restrictive covenants, it can by example offer Kingdom demonstrating approaches to landowners in Hertfordshire, and a significant sites, and the Estate Department cites the models of retrofitting that have the potential growth and development that reflect similar stakeholder in the development of several Local example of the Poundbury development, to redefine Hatfield and, over time, broaden placemaking principles to the urban village Plans, most notably those of Welwyn Hatfield by the Duchy of Cornwall in Dorset, as its residential offer, the ultimate aim being to model (see pp.13-15). This included designs of and East Hertfordshire. instructive in this respect. raise both perceptions and values in the area. 27 fronts, blinds and signs and their impact on the public realm. The Code aims generally to promote traditional or contextual architecture for the county, but includes recommendations for where a contemporary architectural language may be more appropriate. It will inform the ongoing regeneration of Old Hatfield, supporting the proposals of the Old Hatfield Charrette mentioned below. 5.5 Regeneration of Old Hatfield Dunham’s Yard Development Figure 9: Hertfordshire Building Code (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) Figure 10: New infill housing development on Arm and Sword Lane (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) The regeneration of Old Hatfield has been undertaken through a range of design and 5.4 The Hertfordshire Building Code development interventions. Dunham’s Yard Hatfield Station funding became possible for station renewal, is the first in a series of infill schemes for Old the funding bid was able to reflect a well The Gascoyne Cecil Estates team has produced Hatfield on defunct or underused sites in the One of the main urban planning problems thought-through proposal for redeveloping written design guidance, the Hertfordshire village, in this case former garages. The site, identified by the Old Hatfield Charrette the station, based on urbanist principles. Building Code, in direct response to the on either side of the viaduct access bridge (see p.33) was the relative weakness principles for effective architecture laid out to Hatfield House, has been rebuilt as fifteen of the railway station as a major local Station redevelopment elements include in the Hertfordshire Guide to Growth. The new houses and 4500ft of commercial space, transport hub. Despite having a fast, high improved access (especially for pedestrians guidance has been written not only to assist the expressed in a vernacular architecture and a frequency service to Central London and crossing the busy A1000 and bus users), design of future buildings on the Estate itself, strong streetscape along a newly created road, being intensively used by local people, road speed calming outside the station, a but any future development in Hatfield and Arm and Sword Lane. the station is unwelcoming, has no large new multi-storey car park, electric surrounding villages. amenities, poor access for pedestrians and vehicle charging points, greatly improved The courtyard and mews, completed in constrained arrangements for buses, taxis bicycle storage, and a remodelling of the The Code takes an elemental approach to the Autumn 2013, are the pilot scheme in the wider and parking. station building with two retail units and design of individual construction elements, regeneration of Old Hatfield that will eventually a clearer entrance frontage with a well with specific recommendations for walls, roofs, include new buildings for Hatfield Station, The Old Hatfield Charrette proposed a range landscaped plaza. Both station and car park chimneys, windows, doors, gardens, landscaping Church Lane and Salisbury Square. Dunham’s of station enhancements to reconnect it to have been sympathetically designed to and other features. It is recommended for all Yard also represents the successful adoption of both Old Hatfield and improve its design reflect their proximity to the entrance gates forms of development including commercial design principles laid out in the Hertfordshire quality for users. The work done through of Hatfield House directly opposite. As noted buildings, and Part 2 deals specifically with shop Building Code (see above). the Charrette process meant that when on the First Capital Connect website: 28 First Capital Connect and Hertfordshire County Council, with support from Gascoyne Cecil Estates, have been successful in their bid for £6m of funding to redevelop Hatfield Station. The project provides a well designed, safer, and step free accessible transport interchange to reduce the congestion from the various modes of transport entering the station. In addition to the £6m fund from Network Rail, the DfT, and ATOC, there is a supplementary £3m of Network Rail and Herts County Council funds that were already allocated for the station under the government’s Access for All scheme for the installation of a new footbridge and new lifts, making it easier and safer for passengers to move around the station. (www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk) Figure 11: Hatfield station redevelopment (Source: Hertfordshire County Council) With this funding in place, work began on the station redevelopment and car park in October 2013. In 2014 Salisbury Square Hertfordshire County Council will begin work to create a new bus and taxi interchange as part of the station This scheme is central to the regeneration of Old improvement. This will occupy the site currently taken Hatfield, bringing its principal square back to life by the southern car park, replacing it with new bus and improving connections between the village and stands and shelters and a taxi rank. A new drop-off area railway station. Salisbury Square is to be opened will be built in front of the station, which will improve up to traffic again and its large but inflexible public customer safety by keeping private cars, taxis and space replaced by a free flowing market place in the buses in separate areas of the station forecourt. Short style of a traditional Hertfordshire town. The current stay spaces are to be provided in the new car park. south facing block of shops and flats will be rebuilt in a more traditional style and moved forward to The subway that currently links to Old Hatfield will be accommodate much needed parking on two levels, removed and pedestrian facilities will be provided at hidden behind. On its other side, as noted above, a ground level instead. This will be part of the signalled terrace of traditional homes has been constructed junctions and well designed crossing points that on Arm and Sword Lane, and this will hide the rear will help to manage traffic accessing the new bus of the car park. A major proposal to emerge from interchange (a major recommendation of the Old the Old Hatfield Charrette, this scheme now has Hatfield Charrette). All works are expected to be planning consent, with work scheduled to start in complete by late 2014. 2015. (oldhatfieldcommunityforum.com) Figure 12: Salisbury Square, Old Hatfield, redevelopment visualisation (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) 29 5.6 Birchall Garden Suburb proposal 5.7 Hatfield Food ‘Retrofit’ Guide Working on behalf of the site’s landowners, Lafarge In 2012-13, the University of Hertfordshire’s Tarmac, David Lock Associates has been studying the Centre for Sustainable Communities conducted development potential for creating a new ‘Garden research into the potential for an innovative Suburb’ on land owned by Lafarge Tarmac as a food ‘retrofitting’ strategy for Hatfield New potentially appropriate way of extending Welwyn Town and village. This focused on the role Garden City. The scheme requires co-ordination of the placemaking can have in making more local plans of both Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council sustainable food spaces along the food chain and East Hertfordshire District Council, and does not from production to consumption. The project currently appear in the Welwyn Hatfield District Council explored aspects of the relationship between draft Core Strategy. However, David Lock Associates has food and sustainable urbanism in Hatfield at a produced a Visioning Statement and illustrative master number of scales and sites. It considered food’s plan for a new Birchall Garden Suburb to help inform role, both positive and negative, in climate their plan-making processes. (www.davidlock.com) change mitigation and adaptation, using an approach which explored the role of food In keeping with the design principles of the Garden City production, distribution, retailing, consumption movement (respecting the ideas of not only Ebenezer and waste in shaping Hatfield. Howard and his investors, but also of the approach taken by their chosen Canadian master planner Focusing on a number of sites in and around and architect Louis de Soissons), up to 2,500 family Hatfield through case study work, the homes with gardens surrounding an extensive area of project asked how Hatfield could support landscaped open space would make up the proposed current good practice, and it included work Birchall Garden Suburb. It is intended that the new to develop specific ‘retrofitting’ proposals to development will be created within the canon of English help with food security, and the sustainability, architecture that reflects the local context and building healthfulness, conviviality and economic traditions, while using modern materials and applying vibrancy of the town’s centre, urban areas and the highest possible standards of energy efficiency. suburbs in food terms. Within a green frame, Birchall Garden Suburb is This case study work also focused on initiatives planned to deliver tree-lined streets, wildlife corridors aimed at cutting the community’s carbon footprint and increased biodiversity, transforming a previously in relation to food, and identifying and proposing landfilled area into a community asset including a ways to achieve local production, distribution, new central park. Direct links by public transport and retailing, consumption and waste patterns for cycling to the town centre would also connect the well matched with sustainable place making. new suburb directly to the life, culture and economy of An illustrated Guide based on the work will be Figure 13: Plan of proposed Birchall Garden Suburb, Welwyn (Source: David Lock Associates) Welwyn Garden City. (www.davidlock.com) published in Summer 2014. 30 Figure 14: Food ‘retrofit’ visualisation in a new town setting (Source: illustration prepared by Ben McCabe) Figure 15: Croxley Rail Link plan (Source: Open Source image) 5.8 Watford – transport oriented 5.9 The Natural House at the BRE development Innovation Park Watford’s Core Strategy was adopted in The Natural House is located at the Building Research January 2013. In terms of growth proposals for Establishment at Watford and demonstrates a simple, Hertfordshire, it is significant in that the plan is low-tech and easy-to-build way for volume house strongly oriented to an enhanced public transport builders to meet increasingly stringent low carbon network for the district. Its six Special Policy Areas, targets for new homes. Built by the Prince’s Foundation including large amounts of housing, commercial for Building Community, the house is a highly energy- accommodation and a new Health Campus, are efficient structure that still reflects many people’s located along a reinstated rail alignment that will preference for traditionally designed buildings. become an extension of the Metropolitan Line from its current terminus into Watford Junction. The Natural House is constructed from natural The new route will form a high quality public materials including aerated clay block for the walls, transport loop around the town, linking all new lime based renders and plasters, and insulation development to the National Rail Network, the using compressed wood fibre and sheep’s wool. London Overground, and the Tube. With work on The thermally coherent shell, which delivers energy Figure 16: Prince’s Foundation Natural House (Source: Open Source image) the Croxley Rail Link expected to start in 2014, efficiency and good indoor air quality, is simple Watford is set to grow as the most sophisticated and quick to build and is designed to appeal to example of transport oriented development in the an increasingly eco-aware homebuyer. The use Designed to integrate well into urban terraces. It can be subdivided to configure as a UK. A second rail link, the Abbey Flyer, is under of natural, non-toxic materials provides a healthy streetscapes, in new or existing communities, it family home, maisonette or smaller flat, reflecting consideration and would upgrade the existing environment, promoting air movement without can be constructed in a range of architectural changing demographics and people’s needs over railway to St Albans as a high frequency tramway. mechanical air-conditioning. forms including paired dwellings, squares and the long term. (www.bre.co.uk) 31 6. EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE - COLLABORATIVE PLANNING PROCESSES As has already been noted, goes along, and new entrants to later stages opinion. The outcomes are decided by the design codes that organise and give direction Hertfordshire has become a centre are brought up to speed by other participants or participants and the argument is framed to the follow-through of Charrette design literature made available to them. In this way, through drawn proposals. A good Charrette outcomes. This is borne out by the poor take for good collaborative planning a good Charrette retains the expertise of the will record mutually agreed objectives (e.g. up of design coding or design leadership at practice since the Hertfordshire best-informed participants who do not disengage affordable housing, a new school) and remind any meaningful level in UK urban planning, Charrette of 2008. Combining because of repetition or loss of direction. In this participants what has been agreed to at highlighted in studies by CABE, the Prince’s factors of large housing growth way, the Charrette keeps momentum. subsequent stages of the process. Finally, Foundation and other organisations. Andrés the most powerful attribute a Charrette sees tools such as codes, which can apply to pressures and a scarcity of suitable A Charrette is not a political campaign. It tests leader can have is a demonstrable willingness both new build and regeneration scenarios, sites has prompted the adoption design propositions by the early presentation to be persuaded by an argument and change as important in reducing the bureaucracy of Charrette based or similar of ‘sacrificial’ solutions which are debated their mind. of regulation that attends a broad range of processes in several boroughs. in session. It works best when the keenest planning and construction issues. He gave adversaries to a growth proposal are in the Successfully identifying the scope of a Charrette the example of a “green light code” written room to argue the merits and demerits of is important. Many Charrette processes are for an urban regeneration scenario in the 6.1 Current status of collaborative drawn solutions. It does not do the work of swamped in their early stages by “wish lists” US, which has speeded up take up of redundant planning a politician, but can rehearse arguments on which represent the sum of a community’s, industrial buildings for new employment growth issues and, at best, inoculate proposals individual’s or household’s wants alongside and residential uses. The research team met Andrés Duany (of Duany against future opposition. wider collective aspirations. When these are Plater Zyberk), leader of the original Hertfordshire recorded and parsed by the facilitator, only a In conclusion, Andrés Duany was candid about Charrette, in May 2013 to explore his thoughts While the Charrette has been closely associated certain range will fall within the reasonable the limited influence of the Charrette process on collaborative planning and Charrette with New Urbanist solutions, a Charrette process control of planning, local governance and the unless its recommendations can be implemented processes, how practice in this field may have is ‘solution-neutral’ rather than ideological capacity of development finance. through consistent governance within the life of changed, and the influence of the Hertfordshire or moralistic. Ideological positions impose a building project and into the long term. Good Guide to Growth in the years since 2008. These presupposed solutions in line with the Charrette While participants’ wishes will span all political Charrette practice identified above represents observations offer a number of proposals for leader’s views on density, walkability, mixed use, levels, the facilitation process should draw the foundations of a robust local plan for growth. good practice in collaborative planning in the ecology or any other germane issue. The only up a matrix of issues and their appropriate region in future. In discussion, Andrés identified context a Charrette leader needs to provide is the levels of governance, to identify that range of Whilst guidance documents and scenario the following as the primary functions of a focus on the long term. On the issue of building issues on which local government can make planning represented in the Hertfordshire successful Charrette planning process. style, for instance, the long term arguments for meaningful decisions. This process is based Guide to Growth are valuable educational tools, an “adaptive traditional” approach are going upon the theory of subsidiarity, which proposes regulating plans and design codes are the routes Andrés noted that the Charrette has an to be made by the buildings themselves, with issues ought to be handled by the smallest, to consistency through the fifty year projected educational purpose beyond the design functional stylistic features retained or revived. lowest, or least centralised authority capable of influence of a Charrette study. With regard to outcomes. A good charrette leaves all No polemic on this issue is necessary from the addressing that matter effectively. the longevity of plans, the continuing failure of participants better informed, and asks them Charrette leader. almost all collaborative planning practitioners to to bring to the process a willingness to learn Andrés Duany notes there exists a cultural engage the youth demographic of a community about planning and growth issues. Significantly, A Charrette creates a space for debate and dissonance or resistance in the United Kingdom represents a serious flaw in current practice; this a Charrette does not repeat basic lessons as it articulates views from across the spectrum of to employing the sort of regulating plans or is a worldwide phenomenon. 32 6.2 The Old Hatfield Charrette the emergent plans. At a final presentation six specific proposals were shown to a public Gascoyne Cecil Estates have adopted meeting and met with broad approval. Charrette processes as a standard part of growth planning and change management The Charrette was a great success and the in respect of the Estate, its occupants, spatial solutions were then tested in further neighbours, resident businesses and other detail for both viability and practicality. interests. Gascoyne Cecil has been an Of these, some, like the new entrance to active promoter of Charrettes to the local Hatfield House, are now completed, whilst authorities with whom they work: Welwyn others are in planning or on site (see case Hatfield, Hertsmere and East Herts. studies section, p.27). Additionally, the formation of an Old Hatfield Community The Old Hatfield Charrette was a successor Forum means there is a delivery body to see to the Hertfordshire Charrette and took plans to implementation. The consultation place in October 2008, building on the strategy continues with regular open goodwill and levels of engagement meetings and exhibitions to inform residents generated by the earlier event (the Herts of the progress of different proposals, as Charrette). Supported by Gascoyne Cecil well as a dedicated online presence for the Estates, the Old Hatfield Charrette was an Forum. opportunity to apply some of the general principles of the Hertfordshire Charrette to 6.3 The Mill Green Charrette a specific location and see them tested in practice. The Charrette’s purpose was to Gascoyne Cecil Estates undertook a give the residents of Old Hatfield the chance Charrette for the small village of Mill Green, to discuss the problems this small town at the periphery of the Hatfield Estate, in faces, including lack of parking, poor quality September 2011. Issues faced by the village shopping, ill-thought-out open space, poor include heavily trafficked roads on two sides, connections to the railway station and other the loss of the local pub and consequent planning issues. lack of a community meeting place, poor street lighting and untidy, overgrown green The week-long event was led by Andrés space. There is also a museum in the centre Duany and a team from Duany Plater Zyberk. of the village with long term funding issues. Local residents attended general meetings Figure 17: Old Hatfield Charrette masterplanning outcomes (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) during the course of the week, while The infilling of a number of under-utilised smaller groups comprising business owners, spaces with small amounts of new housing planners, councillors and environment and was proposed as a way to support the other specialists tested specific aspects of viability of village amenities (including 33 an acceptable direction for contemporary 7ZXdbZi]ZegZ[ZggZYXdbbjc^inVcY design within the historic context of St stakeholder consultation convenor for Albans. The study areas under consideration significant city centre developments for were the Civic Centre, Drovers Way, the developers, the Local Planning Authority, Coupers Garage Site (Catherine Street) and and the Highways Authority. the Cathedral Quarter and their respective environs, together with any other significant 8daaVWdgViZl^i]h^\c^ÒXVciX^inXZcigZ development sites within the city centre of St developers and their planning and design Albans area. teams through a structured facilitated public design Charrette (per site), using generally While conforming to the emerging Civic the following format:- Centre Opportunity Site Development Brief Design briefing session: evening being prepared by the St Albans City and Hands-on focused design: daytime Charrette District Council, the planning event sought Results and feedback session: evening. to identify how new building could integrate with the historic townscape of the central =daYcdbdgZi]VcildhZeVgViZYZh^\c area, which has Roman origins and buildings Charrettes and associated meetings per year. Figure 18: Mill Green Charrette area visualisation (Source: Gascoyne Cecil) representing most periods up to and including the 20th century. Issues considered DWiV^ceVgi[jcY^c\[gdbi]ZYZkZadeZg[dg the pub if reopened) and endorse the visual central area, and this group of local residents and included the design of new streets and each series of facilitated Charrettes and character of the area with sympathetic business leaders took the view a design code or pedestrian routes; their width, building associated meetings. architecture. The Charrette was a great success, general design guidelines would be appropriate heights and setbacks; and architectural with a large amount of local buy-in, and design for these areas. materials and details. Add`Hi6aWVchid\^kZi]Z^gi^bZidi]Z solutions that drew upon the Gascoyne Cecil process free of charge. Estates Hertfordshire Building Code. The Foundation was able to conduct a The outputs were reported back at a public collaborative planning event through funding open meeting in March 2013. Since then, the 7g^c\idi]ZiVWaZi]ZXdbbjc^in"ZcYdghZY 6.4 Look! St Albans by the Department for Communities and Local original action group has been formalised draft design codes – an excellent blend Government (DCLG), with additional support as ‘Look! St Albans - Our Community Voice of local knowledge and widely connected The Prince’s Foundation For Building and in kind contributions by a great number of on Design’. The group produced its draft interests. Community was invited by the St Albans City local organisations, individuals and institutions, constitution in late summer 2013, identifying Centre Steering Group to facilitate a community including St Albans City and District Council. the following aims which we reproduce here: Egdk^YZidZVX]YZkZadeZgVcYi]Z^g planning and design event, with a focus on the planning and design team unprecedented key areas of change identified in the city vision Over the course of a three day community Ldg`[dgVWgdVYan"hjeedgiZYXdchZchjh access to local knowledge and widely report December 2009 for the City Centre of planning event in 2012, participants set out to in designing buildings and surrounding connected interests in an independently St Albans. The large amount of proposed new identify a range of architectural and urban design open spaces at the outline and full facilitated open, collaborative, transparent building replacing the 1960’s Civic Centre will characteristics that the community, landowners, planning application stage (pre- and creative process with a view to profoundly alter the visual character of the officers and elected members agreed represented application consultation). producing hand-drawn illustrations, a 34 6.5 Dacorum collaborative While of necessarily short duration each planning workshops workshop took a Charrette model, with analysis taking place through group The Strategic Planning and Regeneration exercises under spatial planning headings. team of Dacorum Borough Council initiated These moved from general principles to a series of collaborative planning workshops particular detail in four successive design for local residents and business leaders exercises, employing map and other site to start a dialogue on the pattern of new data. These were themed as follows: growth, the quantum and location of which have been established by the Core Strategy JhZhVcY6Xi^k^i^Zh and forthcoming Site Allocations Document. 6XXZhhVcYBdkZbZci The workshops took place between the 14th HigZZihVcYHeVXZh and 16th of May 2013 and were facilitated by ;dgbVcY9ZiV^a Richard Eastham and team from Feria Urbanism. The outcomes were summarised in a Representatives of the major developers and formal report to the Strategic Planning and agents with site options and ownerships were Regeneration service. Design proposals for Figure 19: Look! St. Albans design engagement process (Source: Look! St. Albans) present to actively engage with local people. the site were exhibited for public comment Over three days the Feria Urbanism team led in Summer 2013, and a representative list of the codes applied, and the relevant :hiVWa^h]VlZWh^iZid^cXgZVhZejWa^X afternoon workshops looking at three sites: body of local people, the West Hemel supporting text - available to all, and awareness of Look! St Albans and for Action Group, has been formed to respond summarised in a short presentation. the posting of information regarding H^iZA6&BVgX]bdci;Vgb to the plans for the largest site. As well its activities. H^iZA6(LZhi=ZbZa as publication of the workshop outputs, Egdk^YZidZVX]YZkZadeZg!i]ZAdXVaEaVcc^c\ H^iZA6*Ig^c\ a public exhibition was held at Warners Authority, the Highways Authority and widely The group has explained that to achieve its aims End Community Centre on 22nd July 2013 accessible local news channels a letter of Look! St Albans will encourage the goodwill and The West Hemel workshop was well attended to seek feedback on proposals for new recommendation for the jointly-created designs, involvement of the wider community in taking by a group of more than sixty local residents, housing development at West Hemel supported by Look! St Albans. part in design briefing sessions, Charrettes and businesses and amenity society members. Hempstead. Council officers and landowner feedback sessions, with a view to improving The workshop process made it clear that the representatives were available to answer 8dci^cjZidaZVgcVWdji\ddYeaVXZbV`^c\ St Albans City Centre for the benefit of the adopted Core Strategy was in place, responding questions. and architectural detail. This could include inhabitants of the St Albans District and to to a wider national mandate for growth, and hosting and visiting other groups involved fostering community spirit and encouraging the decision to select the West Hemel site for The workshop participants’ main concern in Neighbourhood Planning and informally civic pride. The team has agreed a Memorandum up to nine hundred new homes had already was that the debate must reach the organised and self-financed half- or full- of Understanding with St Albans City and District been taken. The direction of the workshop widest local audience possible, with future day study trips to exemplar city centre Council that establishes working arrangements was thus largely a positive discussion about events well publicised in order to maintain developments. This would result in informal between Look! St Albans and the Planning settlement pattern, access arrangements and a high standard of communication over presentations and discussions. Authority. (Look! St. Albans) the requirement for new facilities. growth plans. 35 views known – including through letter technical reports were also downloadable drops to households, information in from the Foundation’s website. The local news media, through social media facilitators took part in a number of including Facebook and Twitter, and ‘surgeries’ at the Hub where key issues through information prominently located were discussed with expert consultants. on their website. A considerable number of people decided The CSC deployed expert engagement to make their comments by email, through staff throughout the two-week exhibition Facebook or on the Heritage Foundation’s opening hours at Letchworth’s Community website. There were ninety-seven emails Hub (weekdays, some early evenings, – many with detailed comments, fifty- and weekends) to facilitate visitors’ eight online comments, 136 Facebook consideration of the issues at hand and comments on the Foundation’s website help ensure their views were recorded and five letters sent to the Foundation. on ‘comments cards’ available for this Figure 20: Dacorum collaborative planning workshops process (Source: www.feria-urbanism.eu) purpose. 673 people visited the Exhibition At the close of the consultative period, and 157 filled out comments cards. the CSC undertook a detailed review and The Dacorum workshops evidenced several 6.6 Letchworth town debate analysis covering consultation responses positive aspects of growth planning in the At the consultation venue this facilitation from the Community Hub, email, letters, District, namely: In late 2013, the University of Hertfordshire’s work was supported by a series of Facebook and website forum comments. Centre for Sustainable Communities (CSC) was information boards developed by the Results from an online questionnaire 6Xdbb^ibZciidXdaaVWdgVi^kZeaVcc^c\Wn asked by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, explaining different aspects run by AudienceNet and consultative an active Local Authority; Foundation to undertake the facilitation, analysis including the town’s development data from an online consultative and reporting of a two-week consultation with principles, reasons for posing the process (both area-based and reflecting 6lZaa^c[dgbZYVcYeVgi^X^eVi^kZÆaVnÇ Letchworth residents on the question – “Should question “Should more homes be built Letchworth’s demographic profile) that stakeholder group; more homes be built in Letchworth?” It was in Letchworth?”, the timeline of planning had been separately commissioned thought that as a neutral organisation with work to date on these issues, and by the Heritage Foundation were also I]ZeVgi^X^eVi^dcd[YZkZadeZgh^cY^gZXi expertise in consultation process and analysis exploration of the implications of any viewed as contextual material. The engagement with local people on growth; the University could act as an ‘honest broker’, decision to build more houses. These various work and information strands and providing useful input both to facilitate the boards were supported by a series of informed a detailed presentation given process and report on its results. technical reports which covered findings to the Letchworth Garden City Governors 68]VggZiiZhinaZldg`h]deegdXZhhl^i] on issues including socio economics, on the evening of 4th December 2013, outcomes debated and presented in The Letchworth Heritage Foundation explained biodiversity, flooding and hydrology and and also provided the basis for a publicly spatial terms. why they were consulting and how to make transport. Both information boards and available consultation report. 36 6.7 Panshanger mini Charrette These techniques share principles with process ‘full Charrettes’ but their use in this kind of stakeholder workshop does not constitute In July 2013, the Centre for Sustainable a full Charrette process (which would be Communities designed and facilitated two undertaken over many months). However, ‘mini Charrette’ workshops about the future shared principles include: of Panshanger as a country park, at the invitation of Lafarge Tarmac, the owners 7VhZa^cZ^c[dgbVi^dcVWdji`Zn[VXih^h of the Panshanger Park site. After the first shared by everyone taking part workshop a write-up was produced for >hhjZh[gdbVcnhZXidgVgZV^gZY! information for the second workshop. Now explored and tested – “live” that both workshops have been completed I]ZgZ^heVgVaaZa!cdihZg^Va! this detailed write-up has been produced engagement – those contributing hear for circulation to participants and any other multiple perspectives interested parties. 6aa^cejihVgZgZXdgYZY!]dli]ZnVgZ processed is auditable The purpose of the mini Charrette process was to explore the future of the Panshanger The process and views expressed at area as a country park, involving stakeholders the mini Charrette workshops were and listening to and documenting their encapsulated in a final report by the CSC views. The mini Charrette used techniques and the Panshanger Charrette process derived from Charrettes in a stakeholder was judged a success by both the site’s workshop format. These techniques include: owners and stakeholders who attended, in helping develop understanding about 6XdaaVWdgVi^kZegdXZhh^cXajY^c\ opportunities and threats and a vision for brainstorming and potentially some the future of Panshanger Park. design related activity >ciZch^kZ!^ciZgVXi^kZY^hXjhh^dcWZilZZc representative interests in the future of the site/place in question JhZd[[ZZYWVX`addehidYZkZade! present and refine ideas and proposals as these are explored in an intensive Figure 21: Panshanger mini Charrette process (Source: Centre for Sustainable Communities, University of Hertfordshire) workshop context. 37 Figure 22: Hertfordshire Charrette process (Source: Hertfordshire Guide to Growth) 6.8 Building Research in the delivery of the Hertfordshire Charrette issues. It enabled the general public The use of the Charrette process produced dialogue Establishment (BRE) input into in 2008. It notes that the BRE provided the opportunity to work with design between statutory organisations, businesses, the Hertfordshire Charrette sustainability expertise, and explains that professionals and statutory bodies to look voluntary groups and specialists about potential at the social and environmental issues forms of development in the County and enabled the “The Charrette was unique in that it was around development, and shape models establishment of some guiding principles. It provided a As the Building Research Establishment (BRE) has funded through private and public funding that respond to Hertfordshire’s character means to upskill the participants, whilst also ensuring that indicated on its website, it was closely involved whilst concentrating on sub regional and landscape. local knowledge was incorporated”. (www.bre.co.uk) 38 7. EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE - SUSTAINABILITY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Hertfordshire has two 7.2 Building Research major promoters of good Establishment (BRE) sustainability practice in the Working from its Watford base, the Building built environment and these Research Establishment helps government, are described below. Again, industry and business to meet the challenges the principles espoused in the of the built environment, including to Hertfordshire Guide to Growth combat climate change, and the significant economic and social issues faced in the UK are apparent in both these and overseas. examples. The BRE is an independent and impartial 7.1 Hertfordshire Building research-based consultancy, testing and Futures training organisation, offering expertise in Figure 23: Hertfordshire Building Futures (Source: Building Futures website) every aspect of the built environment and As described on its website, Building Futures associated industries. The BRE promotes is an “evolving web-based guide, designed better, safer and more sustainable products, to provide practical, user-friendly and buildings, communities and businesses - and up-to-date guidance for planning officers, in the county. The guide has been developed in As noted, “although each module the innovation needed to achieve these. developers and the general public on alignment with existing policies, environmental addresses a particular topic, they should how to make development in Hertfordshire initiatives and assessment procedures.” not be read independently of one BRE GreenPrint more sustainable and of a higher quality in another. All topic areas interrelate and a design terms.” The guidance offered is divided into ten online holistic approach is needed to achieve The BRE GreenPrint environmental modules, each of which covers a sustainable the sustainable design and construction assessment method is described by the BRE It goes on to say, “The intention of the building topic area as follows: of new development. Modules were as for use in gauging sustainability. The eleven local authorities of Hertfordshire has recently updated to reflect emerging methodology was trialled at the Hertfordshire been to create a guide which is relevant 6^g policy requirements, legislative changes Charrette, and helps developers, design teams to the Hertfordshire context, rather than 8a^bViZ8]Vc\Z6YVeiVi^dc and current best practice. Jointly and other interested parties to produce the metropolitan locations, which most central 9Zh^\c produced by the local authorities of best possible masterplans and site designs. government guidance tends to focus on. :cZg\nVcY8a^bViZ8]Vc\Z Hertfordshire, Building Futures is run Using GreenPrint, a full understanding of AVcYhXVeZVcY7^dY^kZgh^in from the Hertfordshire County Council the site and its strengths and weaknesses is It is an important document for everyone BViZg^Vah Environment Department” (http://www. gained (often used in tandem with Charrettes involved in the preparation of development Cd^hZ hertslink.org/buildingfutures/common/ to facilitate public participation), objectives proposals, for local authorities and other HV[Zin headerlinks/about/). for key sustainability issues are set, and the agencies in assessing those proposals and for LVhiZ plan’s ability to deliver them are assessed. individuals with an interest in development LViZg (www.bre.co.uk) 39 Resources Climate 80% Transport 25% Buildings 25% 22% Community 33% 80% 40% Ecology 67% Placemaking Business Category Score Rank Climate 80% jt 1st Resources 25% jt 4th Transport 25% 2nd Ecology 33% jt 1st Figure 25: BRE Innovation Park, Watford (Source: Peter White, BRE) Business 67% 3rd Community 80% jt 1st The method was described in the Guide BRE Innovation Park to Growth (2008: 48) as “GreenPrint: A Placemaking 40% jt 4th sustainability performance test conceived The BRE Innovation Park at Watford is a collection of and developed by the Building Research low and zero energy buildings, predominantly housing, Buildings 22% jt 5th Establishment and undertaken at the Charrette available for viewing alongside innovations in materials, Average 63% in relation to each of the six Scenarios. construction processes and building technology. The Developments are assessed in terms of BRE (2008: 48) partnered with a series of developers, Overall ranking 3rd their provisions relating to climate change, product manufacturers and environmental advocacy resources, transport, ecology, business, agencies to test their technologies and capabilities in community, placemaking and buildings.” a collaborative, live environment that also allows them to showcase their work to the wider industry and the Figure 24: BRE’s GreenPrint method in Herts Guide to Growth (Source: public.” (https://www.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=1798). Hertfordshire Guide to Growth) 40 8. CONCLUSIONS FROM THE RESEARCH In this final section of the report we 8.2 Cross boundary sites and working partnerships. A Co-ordinator is co-funded by the :cVWaZi]Z=>EEidVYYgZhhi]Z9ZeVgibZci discuss the main conclusions drawn – need for a new structure plan? local authorities. for Communities and Local Government’s concerns regarding Hertfordshire’s ability to from the findings and analysis of Equally, in assembling a picture of the county as a The Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Planning meet objectively assessed housing needs; research into the Hertfordshire Guide to whole, it is becoming increasingly clear that plans will Partnership (HIPP) works closely with the Growth – Five Years On. not be found sound if they do not demonstrate the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Egdk^YZVcdeedgijc^in[dgi]Z=>EEidY^hXjhh enactment of the Duty to Cooperate. The Localism and an officer representative of the Enterprise the options for this work and set an agreed Partnership regularly attends the HIPP and work programme. 8.1 Planning and housing Act (2011) places a legal duty on local planning authorities to engage constructively, actively and on an other HPG meetings. With the agreement of the assumptions ongoing basis to maximise the effectiveness of Local Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the In preparing a Local Strategic Statement and Plan preparation relating to strategic cross boundary HIPP have been leading on the development of a potentially a Hertfordshire Spatial Plan, the HIPP The foregoing analysis suggests that the assumptions matters. This is particularly important in the case of Hertfordshire Spatial Plan and an initial draft has has the opportunity to resolve issues preventing of the revoked Regional Spatial Strategy about the Hertfordshire, with many large strategic sites only been produced. cross border development sites, potentially scale and timing of growth in Hertfordshire have viable if the scheme crosses local authority boundaries. allowing for more strategic decision-making changed in light of both the housing recession This problem is widely recognised by officers and The HIPP recognises that it needs to address the and better spatial planning. In progressing this since 2008 and the reshaping of planning policy committee members across the county and has led, wider issues relating to the Duty to Cooperate and joint working, the HIPP is taking into account through the National Planning Policy Framework. in some cases, to the opinion that an equivalent of the challenge of meeting objectively assessed not only the housing assessment outcomes of With fifty percent of Local Plans in Hertfordshire still the former County Structure Plan should be revived in housing needs across the county. With this in mind, individual authorities (numeric housing targets) undetermined, it is too early to say whether the total some form. the group agreed in September 2013 to organise a but also the wider future planning work of the number of dwellings (along with supporting social workshop session to discuss the options for the work Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. A first and economic infrastructure) will be greater or fewer to develop a longer term version of the Hertfordshire draft of the Hertfordshire Strategic Economic than that determined in the Regional Spatial Strategy. 8.3 Role of the Hertfordshire Spatial Plan/Local Strategic Statement and in Plan (SEP) was presented the Local Enterprise Infrastructure and Planning particular to enable the Partnership to address Partnership Board in December 2013, and The evidence of the Local Plans completed by local Partnership recent concerns expressed by the Department for the final version was due to be submitted to authorities to date, and those in draft, suggests that Communities and Local Government about co- Government by the end of March 2014. the high numbers of new homes will be maintained, The Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Planning operation on housing issues across the county. albeit over a longer timeframe than previously Partnership (HIPP) meets approximately In addition to the specific opportunities identified supposed. This view is supported by cases in other six times a year and is comprised of senior Councillors, At the Objectives of Duty to Cooperate Workshop by the workshop in January 2014, theHIPP parts of the UK in which plans submitted by other usually the Planning Portfolio Holders or Leaders, (January 2014) the Partnership explored ways to: maintains a schedule of current Duty to Cooperate local authorities have been challenged or are deemed from Hertfordshire’s District and Borough Councils activity with contributions by each Hertfordshire unsound at Examination by the Planning Inspectorate and the County Council. It is supported by an officer :cVWaZi]Z=Zgi[dgYh]^gZ>c[gVhigjXijgZVcY Local Authority as well as Hertfordshire County because they significantly downscale housing group, the Hertfordshire Planning Group (HPG), Planning Partnership to collectively move Council. This schedule not only identifies Duty to targets. In determining their housing numbers, which is made up of the Heads of Planning of each forward on identifying and responding to Cooperate activity within Hertfordshire but also those Authorities in Hertfordshire that have yet to local authority. The HPG acts as the implementation strategic spatial planning issues in relation outside the boundary with other district authorities make their Local Plan will be alert to the fact that the arm of the Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Planning to economic development, housing and and County Councils as appropriate e.g. Bedford, housing-needs assessment informing their decision Partnership and is in turn supported by a number of infrastructure across the county and also Luton, Aylesbury Vale, the London Borough of must be robust and up to date. sub groups, task and finish groups and associated across county boundaries; Enfield and Essex County Council. 41 8.4 Urban and architectural Whilst this tiered approach to design standards is body for strategic spatial planning across the Finally, it would seem useful that an ongoing design – active promotion of design very appropriate to the nuanced and remarkably county, could incorporate and express the principles review of strategic infrastructure across solutions varied historic and landscape character across the of good urban design in its promotion of new Hertfordshire includes an updated assessment of county, it is largely concerned with new building neighbourhoods, as well as revived urban centres the benefits of new public transport schemes in The work programme undertaken by the HIPP does in existing contexts, especially where these are and suburbs . the light of projected housing growth in different much to address concerns about the promotion sensitive. In the course of researching the influence locations. This work stream could support the of cross boundary working and the optimisation of the Hertfordshire Guide to Growth, there was It is hoped that the HIPP will also support findings of the Hertfordshire Strategic Economic of strategic sites through better spatial planning. very limited evidence of the active promotion of this through its continued development of a Plan and underpin its recommendations e.g. There is no suggestion currently that the outcome high quality urban design (in the Guide’s definition) Hertfordshire Spatial Plan by which it optimises the future development of the “Green Triangle” of the HIPP’s assessment might be a new Garden at the scale of a new neighbourhood or urban opportunities for cohesive community and economic zone centred in St Albans. City or New Town (as was explored as one quarter. This is an important omission given that neighbourhood planning, including cross boundary perhaps optimal outcome in the Guide to Growth). the scope of anticipated development in the county working and utilisation of shared infrastructure (e.g. However, many of the design scenarios proposed means many schemes of this size coming forward new public transport). 8.6 Active promotion of design by the Hertfordshire Guide to Growth remain in future. Aside from the efforts of a few private solutions – Charrettes and related relevant design solutions for the extension and sector promoters (see previous case studies) there is, The HIPP may wish to give thought to whether process regeneration of urban centres across the county. furthermore, little evidence that exemplars in good the suggestion of formalising spatial needs into a There is scope for the urban typologies explored neighbourhood design were being actively promoted “County Structure Plan” or modern equivalent is an One of the strands that has emerged strongly from in the Guide to contribute greatly to environmental by the public sector, even where sound urban design appropriate measure - and what status this would this work is that, in terms of the Guide to Growth performance, social cohesion and economic principles were embedded in local policy. have in planning terms. itself and since then, Charrette type processes have vitality as the county grows. been effective techniques for engaging in complex It is not evident that the Local Plan system as It would also seem sensible for the HPG (in support settlement design and planning issues. This has In practice, several local authorities already currently evolving allows for the prioritisation of of the HIPP) to review the principles of good urban been the case both through the private sector, as have embedded design principles in their a unified approach to urban design at local level design and appropriate architectural form already shown in the case studies, and those examples planning processes in the form of Supplementary (either in Hertfordshire or elsewhere). Certainly the adopted by local authorities across the county, using where Local Authorities have sponsored Charrette Planning Guidance – the North Hertfordshire adoption of a single design tool such as the Guide these alongside private sector exemplars to inform style engagement processes. Given the strength of Design Supplementary Planning Document, to Growth does not appear to be a priority given the the development of a Hertfordshire Spatial Plan and such processes for working through and obtaining the Stevenage Design Guide and the Watford weight of burdens faced during the plan making the Local Strategic Statement, as well as those local the best (rather than lowest common denominator) Residential Design Guide (draft) are just three process as already described. plans in the county that have yet to be determined. solutions for a range of settlement scenarios, it would examples. Additionally, in designated historic or seem important at both county strategic and local landscape areas, characterisation statements are 8.5 Active promotion of design Additionally, the HPG could consider a review of authority level to give more attention to developing widely used in the assessment of new design Charrette capacity alongside design, planning, solutions – possible role of the exemplars in urban design both within and beyond (e.g. for St Albans City Centre, Chiltern Buildings Hertfordshire with the potential of producing best infrastructure and economic development promotion Design Guide etc). At the county level, the Hertfordshire Infrastructure and practice guidance. Such guidance might be adopted and integration efforts. Highway Design Guide, Roads in Hertfordshire, Planning Partnership by the HIPP, and be promoted by Hertfordshire informs the planning of new infrastructure by Building Futures, the Building Research Hertfordshire County Council, and is highly Given the findings above, consideration could be Establishment, and other appropriate organisations influential on the design of new public realm. given to ways in which the HIPP, as the convening and structures. 42 REFERENCES Birchall Garden Suburb www.davidlock.com “Over £9 million investment announced for Hatfield Station” (28/11/2011) www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk GreenPrint www.bre.co.uk The Hertfordshire Guide to Growth www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/10289/hertscharrette-guide-to-growth_02-12-2008.pdf Hertfordshire Building Futures Guide www.hertslink.org/buildingfutures/ Letchworth Town Debate Consultation Report www.letchworth.com/sites/default/files/attachments/letchworth_town_debate_consultation_report.pdf Constitution Draft (2013) Look! St. Albans oldhatfieldcommunityforum.com Planning Portal (April 2013) www.planningportal.gov.uk/wps/portal/portalhome/ 43