Joint Statement on Three Rivers' Local Plan and the Government’s proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework

We believe that this number is excessive. It would mean the release of a substantial amount of valuable Green Belt land, including agricultural land, and be likely to cause high harm to the area given that 76% of Three Rivers is Green Belt. The council has had all of its Green Belt independently rated and has rejected the release of sites that would cause more than moderate harm to the overall Green Belt.

The council’s current Local Plan,  which has been recently consulted on, has received support from  more than 91% of residents in its consultation. It allocates all available brownfield sites and a limited amount of ‘lower harm’ Green Belt land giving a number of 4,852 as being the best figure for new housing growth in Three Rivers.

Given that less than 1,000 of these new homes can be accommodated on current brownfield land, we believe that the government’s proposed new figure is excessive.

Three Rivers District Council will continue to work on its the Local Plan based on its recent consultation until it fully understands the implications of the new proposals and any changes the government proposes.

In light of this, we met with Gagan Mohindra, our local MP, to discuss our approach and all parties agreed to argue the case for the lower number based on this.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council

Jon Bishop, Three Rivers Joint Residents Association, which represents 22 residents’ groups

PHOTO CAPTION: (From left) Jon Bishop, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst and South West Herts MP Gagan Mohindra.