Plans to build 20,000 new homes in Hertfordshire have been scrapped after the planning inspectorate labelled Stevenage’s draft core strategy unsound.
The borough council said that development of the town was on hold after the inspector, Douglas Machin, recommended the withdrawal of the strategy. The council said that a planned 20,000 new homes now look unlikely to ever be built.
Stevenage is designated as a major housing and employment growth point in the East of England Plan, which was adopted in May 2008 and is still in force. At least 9,600 new homes are planned in the neighbouring North Hertfordshire district as new urban extensions to the west and north of Stevenage.
The inspector found that, while the draft core strategy conforms with the East of England Plan, the neighbouring council no longer has to co-operate with Stevenage on its expansion.
North Hertfordshire district council suspended work planning for Stevenage’s expansion in June 2010, following communities minister Eric Pickles’ announcement of the commitment to abolish regional strategies.
Councillor John Gardner said: “The contents of the inspector’s report require careful and detailed consideration. Before we decide precisely what we want to do, we would like to see the progress of the Localism Bill, the long-awaited National Planning Framework and the revised Development Plan Regulations.”
He said that the inspector’s report, and its implications, would be considered over the summer and that a formal report would be made to the council executive in September.
samantha.mcclary@estatesgazette.com
