Local Member of Parliament Bim Afolami MP has written to the Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove to ask him to clarify the future of the East of Luton developments proposed in the North Hertfordshire Local Plan, following changes to Government rules outlined yesterday. North Hertfordshire’s Local Plan was adopted by Councillors in November following a long consultation and examination process. Now new changes in Government may potentially open up new opportunities for residents in Cockernhoe, Mangrove Green, Tea Green and Wandon End, who face being absorbed into Luton under current plans.
The changes will see the so-called “duty to co-operate”, which requires Councils to take in excess housing need from neighbouring authorities as part of their own development plans, cast doubt of the future of the EL1, EL2 and EL3 developments (collectively “East of Luton”), which were included by North Hertfordshire to meet Luton’s housing need.
Mr Afolami has written to the Secretary of State to ask him how the Council should proceed in light of these changes.
Bim Afolami MP said,
“As a Member of Parliament, I have thus far believed that it is best to allow District Councils and Councillors to prepare and adopt their Local Plan without my interference. They are elected to do so and it is therefore constitutionally correct to allow them to exercise this duty.
“However, in light of the Government’s plan to end the duty to co-operate I have written to the Secretary of State to ask about what this means for the “East of Luton” sites in the North Hertfordshire Local Plan. This development would attach the hamlets of Cockernhoe, Mangrove Green, Tea Green and Wandon End to the town of Luton and is included solely as a way of meeting the Council’s duty to co-operate with Luton Borough Council’s excess housing need.
“I believe that the plans would have an adverse impact on local communities, on the nearby Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and on the beautiful countryside and setting of the Breachwood Green Ridge, which I hope could be included in an extension of that AONB.
“Given that this development was approved in the Local Plan purely to satisfy a planning policy objective which the Government intends to remove, I am seeking urgent clarity on how East of Luton should proceed.”
Cllr. Claire Strong (Councillor for Hitchwood, Offa & Hoo and Leader of the Opposition at North Herts) said,
“The news from Michael Gove MP on development is of interest but having just approved North Herts local plan that included development east of Luton to meet Luton’s unmet need and make the council’s plan lawful then an early review of the plan must be carried out. Any advice Bim Afolami MP can obtain from the Secretary of State on green belt sites in existing plans and how to deal with unmet need in emerging planning applications is welcomed.”
