Planning in Three Rivers

To provide accessible and varied opportunities for leisure, arts, sport and recreational activities in order to promote healthy lifestyles

To provide accessible and varied opportunities for leisure, arts, sport and recreational activities in order to promote healthy lifestyles

Design of Development

In seeking a high standard of design, the Council will expect all development proposals to: a) Have regard to the local context and conserve or enhance the character, amenities and quality of an area b) Conserve and enhance natural and heritage assets c) Protect residential amenities by taking into account the need for adequate levels and disposition of privacy, prospect, amenity and garden space d) Make efficient use of land whilst respecting the distinctiveness of the surrounding area in terms of density, character, layout and spacing, amenity, scale, height, massing and use of materials e) Build resilience into a site's design taking into account climate change (for example flood resistant design) f) Use innovative design to reduce energy and waste and optimise the potential of the site g) Ensure buildings and spaces are, wherever possible, orientated to gain benefit from sunlight and passive solar energy h) Design out opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour through the incorporation of appropriate measures to minimise the risk of crime and create safe and attractive places i) Incorporate visually attractive frontages to adjoining streets and public spaces j) Ensure all appropriate frontages contain windows and doors that assist informal surveillance of the public realm k) Use high standards of building materials, finishes and landscaping; also provide/contribute towards street furniture and public art where appropriate l) Ensure the development is adequately landscaped and is designed to retain, enhance or improve important existing natural features; landscaping should reflect the surrounding landscape of the area and where appropriate integrate with adjoining networks of green open spaces m) Make a clear distinction between public and private spaces and enhance the public realm n) Ensure that places, spaces and buildings are accessible to all potential users, including those with mobility difficulties o) Provide convenient, safe and visually attractive areas for the parking of vehicles and cycles without dominating the development or its surroundings p) Be durable and, where practical, buildings should be capable of adapting to other uses and functions in order to ensure their long-life.

To promote safety and security as a high priority in the design of new developments in order to create attractive and safe places in which to live, work and play

To promote safety and security as a high priority in the design of new developments in order to create attractive and safe places in which to live, work and play

Employment and Economic Development

The Council will support development that: a) Sustains parts of the District as attractive areas for business location b) Provides an appropriate number of jobs to meet strategic requirements c) Promotes skills and learning of the local workforce d) Provides for a range of small, medium and large business premises e) Reinforces the south-west Herts area's existing economic clusters including film, printing and publishing, telecommunications and construction f) Further develops knowledge-based industries (including high-tech manufacturing, finance and business services, computing and Research & Development, communications and media industries) g) Aligns economic growth with housing growth in the area in order to balance the provision of homes and jobs and reduce out-commuting h) Retains overall levels of industrial and warehousing floorspace in the District and adopts a more flexible approach to the release of office floorspace for other uses i) Reduces the need to travel by promoting mixed-use development, including 'live-work' units (where these can be demonstrated to be appropriate), and homeworking, whilst taking into account the need to protect existing residential amenities. The sustainable growth of the Three Rivers economy will be supported by: j) Continuing to focus employment use within the key employment areas within the District: Leavesden Aerodrome, Croxley Business Park, Tolpits Lane, Maple Cross/Maple Lodge, Kings Langley Employment Area, Carpenders Park West, Rickmansworth Town Centre k) Ensuring that employment uses are accessible through a range of transport modes including by public transport l) Supporting economic development in rural areas where this would contribute to sustainable development objectives would be consistent in scale with the rural location and would not result in harmful effects on the environment or local communities m) Supporting opportunities for economic development in the South Oxhey area as part of plans for regeneration of the area to help address identified deprivation in the South Oxhey area in relation to access to employment, education, skills and training and income n) Releasing office space from employment use where this is expected to be surplus to employment needs across the plan period as indicated by an up to date Employment Land Study o) Generally retaining general industrial and warehousing space in employment use, but recognising opportunities for relocation or mixed use redevelopment of industrial and wareho

Overarching Policy on Sustainable Development

All development in Three Rivers will contribute to the sustainability of the District. This means taking into account the need to: a) Tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions, increasing energy and water efficiency of buildings, promoting the use of renewable energy systems, and using other natural resources wisely, including through the use of sustainable building materials b) Avoid development in areas at risk from flooding c) Minimising flood risk through the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems d) Make efficient use of land by guiding development onto previously developed, brownfield land and incorporate mixed-use development wherever possible, recognising that some previously developed land can have significant biodiversity value e) Reduce waste going to landfill by reducing materials used, reusing and recycling building materials and providing opportunities for recycling wherever possible f) Protect and enhance our natural, built and historic environments from inappropriate development and improve the diversity of wildlife and habitats g) Build mixed and sustainable communities by providing housing across a range of tenures and types including affordable housing h) Maintain high levels of employment by attracting jobs and training opportunities for local people i) Improve access to jobs, skills, services and facilities particularly within areas of deprivation in the District j) Sustain the viability and vitality of the Principal Town, Key and Secondary Centres and Villages as identified in the Three Rivers Settlement Hierarchy k) Protect and enhance existing community, leisure and cultural facilities and provide new facilities l) Reduce the need to travel by locating development in accessible locations and promoting a range of sustainable travel modes m) Provide necessary infrastructure to enable and/ or support development, including (but not limited to) transport, education, health, green infrastructure, utilities, waste facilities, waste water, leisure, cultural and community facilities n) Promote buildings and public spaces of a high enduring design quality that respects local distinctiveness, is accessible to all and reduces opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour o) Manage and reduce risk of and from pollution in relation to quality of land, air and water and dealing with land contamination.

Green Belt

The Council will: a) Maintain the general extent of the Metropolitan Green Belt in the District b) Where appropriate, make minor revisions through the Site Allocations Development Plan Document to the detailed Green Belt boundaries around the main urban area, to accommodate development needs, as detailed in the Spatial Strategy and Place-Shaping Policies. c) Retain 'Major Developed Site in the Green Belt' status for Maple Lodge Sewage Treatment Works d) Review 'Major Developed Site in the Green Belt' status in relation to Leavesden Aerodrome, having regard to the important contribution the site is expected to make to meeting needs for housing and employment e) Encourage appropriate positive use of the Green Belt and measures to improve environmental quality. There will be a general presumption against inappropriate development that would not preserve the openness of the Green Belt, or which would conflict with the purpose of including land within it.

Green Infrastructure

The Council will seek a net gain in the quality and quantity of Green Infrastructure, through the protection and enhancement of assets and provision of new green spaces. Priorities for Green Infrastructure focus on conserving and enhancing the following key assets and the linkages between them which are illustrated in Appendix 5: a) the corridors of the Rivers Chess, Colne and Gade and the Grand Union Canal b) the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty c) the Colne Valley Park d) the District's Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Local Nature Reserves, wildlife sites, key biodiversity habitats, species and areas identified in the Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan and heritage assets and landscape character within areas of Green Infrastructure. It is also important to improve connectivity between key assets through the establishment of linked and coherent networks and corridors of green spaces and sustainable transport links. More detailed ongoing work will inform future priorities for Green Infrastructure in Three Rivers and will be included within the Green Infrastructure and Landscape Supplementary Planning Document. The Council will require new development to contribute to the delivery of new Green Infrastructure and the management of a linked network of new and enhanced open spaces and corridors. Development will not compromise the integrity of the Green Infrastructure network, by causing fragmentation, damage to, or isolation of Green Infrastructure assets including natural habitats and species.

To conserve and enhance the countryside and the diversity of landscapes, wildlife and habitats in the District within a coherent network of Green Infrastructure to support the natural environment and human health

To conserve and enhance the countryside and the diversity of landscapes, wildlife and habitats in the District within a coherent network of Green Infrastructure to support the natural environment and human health

To conserve and enhance the historic environment by resisting the loss of, or damage to, heritage assets including important buildings and to ensure that new development respects the unique character and identity of the towns and villages in the District

To conserve and enhance the historic environment by resisting the loss of, or damage to, heritage assets including important buildings and to ensure that new development respects the unique character and identity of the towns and villages in the District

Housing Supply

The Council will identify sufficient land for housing in the District to meet the Three Rivers housing target of 180 dwellings per year until 2026. Housing provision will be made primarily from within the existing urban area (approximately 75% of total housing development between 2001-2026) and also from housing sites at the most sustainable locations on the edge of existing settlements, in the Green Belt (approximately 25% of total supply between 2001-2026). It is anticipated that approximately 60% of housing requirements will be met in the Key Centres as defined in the settlement hierarchy. This is likely to be achieved in part through significant mixed use development at Leavesden Aerodrome and through regeneration in South Oxhey. Specific sites will be identified through the Site Allocations Development Plan Document according to the policies and parameters set out in the Core Strategy and in accordance with the Spatial Strategy and Place Shaping Policies. In identifying sites for future development, the Site Allocations Development Plan Document will set out an indicative phasing strategy for the development of sites. This strategy will take into account the policies and parameters established through the Core Strategy and will take into account the sustainability of each site, the deliverability of housing on the site and likely infrastructure requirements. Sites which contribute better to sustainability objectives, are deliverable, and will not have infrastructure requirements that will require a long lead-in time will be phased earlier than sites that contribute less well to sustainability objectives, are not deliverable in the shorter term or require a lead-in period for infrastructure provision. The Annual Monitoring Report will set out the latest information on housing supply, including an assessment of whether there is a deliverable five-year supply of land for housing. The phasing strategy for sites will be reviewed annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report process. Indicative phasing of sites may be altered having regard to the Annual Monitoring Report and up-to-date information on the delivery of specific sites. This may result in sites coming forward and/or sites being set back over the Plan period. The earlier release of identified edge of settlement sites in the Green Belt will only be considered if: i. The Annual Monitoring Report projects that there will not be a five year supply of land for housing ii. The sites can realistically be delivered in the short-term iii. It can be clearly demonstrated that the early release of sites will achieve significant benefits in terms of sustainability and other objectives of the Core Strategy iv. It does not unduly impact on other sites coming forward in accordance with the Spatial Strategy.

Housing Mix and Density

The Council will promote high quality residential development that respects the character of the District and caters for a range of housing needs. Development will make the most efficient use of land, without compromising the quality of the environment and existing residential areas. The Council will require housing proposals to take into account the range of housing needs, in terms of size and type of dwellings as identified by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and subsequent updates. New development will also provide a range of house types and sizes to reflect the existing and future needs of the Three Rivers population and the characteristics of housing in the area. This includes provision of housing for the elderly and supported and specialist accommodation which will be encouraged in suitable and sustainable locations. Until guidance as part of an overall Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document is produced, the density of development will be considered on its merits taking into account the need to: a) Respect density levels within existing residential areas particularly within areas of special landscape and/or historic value in the District b) Promote higher densities in locations that are highly accessible to public transport, services and facilities.

Affordable Housing

In order to increase the provision of affordable homes in the District and meet local housing need as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment, the Council will: a) In view of the identified and pressing need for affordable housing in the District, seek an overall provision of around 45% of all new housing as affordable housing, incorporating a mix of tenures. All new development resulting in a net gain of one or more dwellings will be expected to contribute to the provision of affordable housing b) As a guide, seek 70% of the affordable housing provided to be social rented and 30% to be intermediate c) Allocate specific sites, at higher or lower proportions of affordable housing depending on site circumstances, location and density of development. In some cases a target of 50% or above may be appropriate. Site specific targets will be set through the Site Allocations Development Plan Document d) Require the affordable housing provided to reflect the mix of size and type required for future housing, as identified in the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and subsequent updates and Council priorities for provision which is currently for family-sized dwellings to meet the most urgent housing needs in the District e) In most cases require affordable housing provision to be made on site, but in relation to small sites delivering between one and nine dwellings, consider the use of commuted payments towards provision off site. Such payments will be broadly equivalent in value to on-site provision but may vary depending on site circumstances and viability f) Permit small-scale affordable housing within and immediately adjacent to the village core areas of Sarratt and Bedmond on the basis of need through the release and allocation of Rural Exception Sites. Allocations will be made through the Site Allocations Development Plan Document. In assessing affordable housing requirements including the amount, type and tenure mix, the Council will treat each case on its merits, taking into account site circumstances and financial viability. In calculating the percentage of affordable units to be provided as part of a development scheme, the affordable housing requirement will normally be 'rounded up' to the nearest whole number.

Gypsy and Traveller Provision

When allocating sites or considering planning applications for sites for Gypsies and Travellers or Travelling Showpeople, a criteria based approach will be used. The following criteria will be taken into account: a) Avoid areas at risk from flooding b) Avoid causing an adverse impact on areas of recognised wildlife, heritage or landscape importance, and on the openness of the Green Belt c) Be in or near existing settlements with access by foot and/ or public transport to local services, including shops, schools and healthcare d) Be well located to the highway network, with safe and convenient vehicular and pedestrian access to the site e) Provide adequate on-site facilities for parking, storage, play and residential amenity f) Provide adequate levels of privacy and residential amenities for occupiers and not be detrimental to the amenities of adjacent occupiers g) The circumstances of the applicant and their need for pitches on the application site.

Development in the Principal Town (Rickmansworth)

Development in Rickmansworth will: a) Focus future development predominantly on sites within the urban area, on previously developed land b) Provide approximately 15% of the District's housing requirements over the Plan period to include approximately 45% of affordable housing as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), Development Economics Study (2009) and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (2010) c) Maintain the overall amount of existing employment floorspace in the town, including the general supply of office accommodation in the town centre d) Maintain the retail core in the town centre and where appropriate enhance it through a modest increase in retail floorspace in accordance with the Retail Capacity Study e) Contribute to an integrated approach to improve transport and movement into, and around, the town and connectivity with all other key centres in the District and service centres in adjoining Districts. The priority will be improving and enabling use of public transport to increase public transport patronage f) Maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre by promoting a range of town centre uses including housing, employment, shopping, leisure and community uses. This should help to improve access to housing, jobs and services g) Support the town centre as a focus for community interaction and the viability of existing facilities such as Watersmeet Theatre h) Conserve and where possible enhance the distinctive and historic character of the centre, particularly within the area defined by the Rickmansworth Town Centre Conservation Area through appropriate and well designed development. This will be guided by the Conservation Area Appraisal and future updates i) Conserve and enhance the unique natural landscape, biodiversity and habitat surrounding the town, including in the River Chess Valley to the east and the River Colne Valley to the south, including the Colne Valley Park j) Improve the provision of, and access to, services and facilities to meet future demands, specifically through: i. Improvements to rail services and rail links at Rickmansworth Station primarily through the Croxley Rail Link ii. Provision of a strategic cycle route between Rickmansworth Town Centre and Chorleywood and Maple Cross with links into the National Cycle Network and Colne Valley Trail iii. Improvements to parking and cycle facilities at Rickmansworth Station iv. Improved bus services between Rickmansworth Town Centre and surrounding centres v. Road safety improvements to Park Road (A412) and Chorleywood Road (A404) by the Royal Masonic School vi. The extension of cemetery facilities at the site in Woodcock Hill to increase capacity vii. Maintain and improve biodiversity, recreational access and watersports facilities at Rickmansworth Aquadrome in accordance with the management plan and master plan viii. Expansion of existing schools and/or provision of new schools meet identified needs in the Rickmansworth area.

Development in the Key Centres (South Oxhey, Croxley Green, Abbots Langley, Chorleywood, Leavesden and Garston and Mill End)

Development in Key Centres will: a) Focus future development predominantly on sites within the urban area, on previously developed land b) Provide approximately 60% of the District's housing requirements over the Plan period to include approximately 45% of affordable housing as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), Development Economics Study (2009) and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (2010) c) Maintain and enhance employment opportunities in the Key Centres but reduce over supply of office provision at Leavesden Aerodrome through mixed-use development including housing d) Recognise that the former Leavesden Aerodrome site which includes the nationally important film studios is anticipated to be significant in meeting needs for housing and employment through mixed use redevelopment. Specific proposals for the site will be included in the Site Allocations Development Plan Document e) Maintain and enhance primary and secondary shopping frontages within Abbots Langley, Chorleywood and South Oxhey District Shopping Centres and the Local Shopping Centre at Croxley Green to meet needs from existing and new housing development and to enable Key Centres to be sufficient in meeting local daily needs f) Provide for a modest extension of retail floorspace within the Key Centres where opportunities arise in accordance with the Retail Capacity Study g) Contribute to an integrated approach to improve transport, including public transport, and movement into, and around, the Key Centres and connectivity with all other centres in the District, and service centres in adjoining authorities in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London and to increase public transport patronage h) Promote development, infrastructure and services that will help tackle deprivation affecting South Oxhey (Ashridge, Hayling and Northwick wards) particularly in relation to improving access to education, skills, training and employment and reducing crime. Some improvements identified include the 'Step Up' building on Oxhey Drive which will provide courses to help people get back into work and counselling to people with mental illness. In addition the 'South Oxhey Initiative' involves engagement with stakeholders, the public and other technical work to produce a Masterplan to set out how future development in South Oxhey can respond to identified challenges. Detailed proposals will be included in the Site Allocations Development Plan Document. i) Promote development, infrastructure and services that will help tackle issues of deprivation affecting Penn Ward particularly in relation to children and young people. In particular, the Local Strategic Partnership is promoting projects to stimulate greater participation in local learning by adults and families, and are funding a project to target training in literacy, numeracy and IT in areas including Maple Cross and Mill End. j) Provide improved access to healthcare services in Mill End k) Promote regeneration in parts of South Oxhey to improve housing stock quality and reduce inequalities through the provision of targeted services in more efficient ways. This could include mixed use development consisting of new housing, offices, shopping and community uses. The 'South Oxhey Initiative' involves engagement with stakeholders, the public and other technical work to produce a Masterplan to set out how future development in South Oxhey can respond to identified challenges. Detailed proposals will be included in the Site Allocations Development Plan Document. l) Conserve and enhance the local distinctiveness of the Key Centres, particularly the historic cores of Abbots Langley, Croxley Green and Chorleywood m) Improve provision of, and access to, services and facilities, to meet future demands, specifically through: i. Highway improvements to A41 and surroundings in relation to Leavesden Aerodrome

Monitoring and Delivery

The Council will ensure that key components of development and growth in the Core Strategy can be delivered through: a) The effective and timely release of land and provision of the necessary and supporting infrastructure, services and facilities b) A robust monitoring framework to respond to changes in circumstances. The Council will seek to achieve this by: c) Working with a range of partners such as the Local Strategic Partnership, infrastructure and service providers, environmental bodies and interest groups to identify and provide the necessary improvements to infrastructure, services and facilities d) Co-ordinating and integrating delivery with the implementation of the Three Rivers Community Strategy and funding opportunities e) Ensuring a continuous supply of deliverable housing by preparing and updating a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment in conjunction with the development industry and housing suppliers f) Regularly monitoring and reviewing policies, proposals and related targets to ensure that they: i. Are effectively contributing towards the delivery of the Core Strategy's Spatial Vision, Strategic Objectives and Spatial Strategy ii. Are consistent with up-to-date national and regional policy iii. Can respond effectively to change. Effective monitoring will be achieved by focusing on a key set of indicators (as set out in Appendix 7).

Infrastructure and Planning Obligations

Development will provide, or make adequate contribution towards, infrastructure and services to: a) Make a positive contribution to safeguarding or creating sustainable, linked communities b) Offset the loss of any infrastructure through compensatory provision c) Meet ongoing maintenance costs where appropriate. In relation to utilities infrastructure (water supply, waste water capacity, electricity supply and gas supply), developers will be required to demonstrate that: d) Either adequate capacity exists on and off sites to serve development and that development would not lead to problems for existing users, or e) Extra capacity can be provided in time to serve the development which will ensure that the environment and the amenities of local residents are not adversely affected. This may require developers to fund appropriate improvements where there are capacity problems and no improvements are programmed by the statutory undertaker. These should be completed before occupation of the development. Infrastructure provision will take full account of the Council's priorities for infrastructure, services and facilities, including those identified in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and Infrastructure Delivery Schedule. This will contribute to the infrastructure necessary to support growth in the area. We will continue to work in partnership with the County Council and other Districts to develop a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). In the meantime and in the event that CIL is not progressed the Council will continue to use existing procedures and arrangements in relation to developer contributions. These include standard charges and formulae to calculate indicative contributions and to seek on-site provision of the required facilities each time a dwelling or commercial site is developed. Detailed charges and formulae are set out in the Council's supplementary planning documents (for example 'Open Space, Amenity and Children's Play Facilities, 2007) and other guidance documents as appropriate including Hertfordshire County Council's 'Planning Obligations Guidance – Toolkit for Hertfordshire' (2008). Further guidance will also be set out in future Infrastructure and Obligations Supplementary Planning Document and Green Infrastructure and Landscape Supplementary Planning Document. Applications for development will be considered on a case-by-case basis to allow individual site circumstances to be reflected where appropriate.

To facilitate the provision of services and infrastructure to meet the needs of existing development and new development by working on cross-boundary issues with adjoining authorities, service providers and the development industry

To facilitate the provision of services and infrastructure to meet the needs of existing development and new development by working on cross-boundary issues with adjoining authorities, service providers and the development industry

Development in Secondary Centres (Kings Langley, Carpenders Park, Eastbury, Maple Cross, Moor Park, Oxhey Hall)

Development in Secondary Centres will: a) Focus future development predominantly on sites within the urban area, on previously developed land b) Provide approximately 24% of the District's housing requirements over the Plan period to include approximately 45% of affordable housing as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), Development Economics Study (2009) and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (2010) c) Maintain and enhance employment opportunities in Secondary Centres but redistribute some employment floorspace through mixed use development in Kings Langley employment area and an extension of floorspace at Maple Cross/ Maple Lodge d) Maintain and enhance the provision of local shops within the Secondary Centres to meet future local daily needs e) Contribute to an integrated approach to improve transport and movement into, and around, the secondary centres and connections with all other centres in the District and service centres in adjoining Districts and to increase public transport patronage f) Promote development, infrastructure and services in order to meet local community and business needs, and to maintain the vitality of communities. This should help tackle deprivation affecting Maple Cross and Carpenders Park particularly in relation to access to housing and services and reducing crime g) Preserve and enhance the local distinctiveness and the historic cores of Eastbury and Moor Park h) Recognise Kings Langley as a cross boundary village shared with Dacorum Borough Council which therefore requires a co-ordinated approach between the two authorities in planning for the future of the village i) Improve provision of access to services and facilities, to meet future demands, specifically through: i. Traffic management improvements to the C76 between Kings Langley Station and Barnacres Lane (in Dacorum Borough) and to the A412 (Denham Way) in Maple Cross ii. Traffic management improvements on Toms Lane iii. Improvement of bus services from Maple Cross to Rickmansworth iv. Improvement of bus services from Kings Langley Employment Area to Key Centres in District v. Improvement of parking and cycling facilities at Kings Langley, Moor Park and Carpenders Park stations vi. Expansion of existing schools and/or provision of new schools meet identified needs in the Secondary Centres.

Development in Villages (Bedmond, Sarratt)

Development in Villages will: a) Be strictly controlled in order to protect the character, landscape, heritage and wildlife of the wider countryside, and the openness of the Green Belt b) Be well designed and inclusive, in keeping and in scale with its location and sensitive to the character of the countryside and local distinctiveness c) Allow some limited small-scale development in or on the edge of the villages in order to meet local community and business needs, to maintain the vitality of these communities. This should help tackle deprivation in these villages, particularly in relation to access to housing, employment and services d) Improve the viability, accessibility and community value of existing services and facilities, for example village shops and post offices, rural petrol stations, village and church halls, rural public houses and bus services that play an important role in sustaining village communities e) Support public transport services to Rickmansworth and other centres within and adjacent to Three Rivers, enabling the increased use of more sustainable modes of transport f) Allocate and release sites solely for affordable housing using a Rural Exception Site Policy approach to accommodate households which contain current residents or have an existing family or employment connection in perpetuity. These will be identified through a subsequent Site Allocations document g) Provide approximately 1% of the District's housing requirements over the Plan period to include affordable housing to meet local needs and as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), Development Economics Study (2009) and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (2010) h) Improve provision of and access to, services and facilities to meet future demands, specifically through: i. Traffic management improvements to the C77 (Bedmond Road) ii. Extending provision at Bedmond Sports and Social Club site, Toms Lane, to include facilities for young people iii. Extending and improving facilities at Frogmore Meadow Site of Special Scientific Interest, Sarratt iv. Creating a play area in Sarratt to meet identified need v. Expansion of existing schools and/or provision of new schools meet identified needs in the Villages.

Town Centres and Shopping

Where there is an identified need for new town centre development, Town and District centres will be the focus for this development. Retail development will specifically be directed to within the Primary Frontages of these centres. Proposals for new town centre and shopping development will be considered taking into account: a) The location of the proposed development with preference given to centrally located and accessible areas, served by a range of transport modes including public transport b) The impact of development on the viability and vitality of existing centres and local shops c) The appropriateness of the type and scale of development in relation to the centre and its role, function, character and catchment area. The hierarchy of retail centres and their established character and diversity will be maintained through: d) Protecting and enhancing the vitality and viability of the retail cores of the town and district centres by generally resisting the loss of Class A1 retail uses particularly within their Primary Frontages e) Promoting uses which are complementary to the Primary Frontages, normally within adjoining Secondary Frontages f) Taking account of the contribution of non-retail uses to the vitality and viability of centres, having regard to market conditions and impacts on local amenity g) Protecting and enhancing existing Local Centres and other local shops which cater for local day-to-day needs h) Resisting any future out-of-town retailing that would adversely affect existing centres. Projected increases in expenditure and population will be accommodated and should be spread between all centres so that each becomes increasingly self-sufficient in the provision for day-to-day needs, so reducing the need to travel. This means providing additional comparison (non-food) floorspace, equating to a net gain of around 2,000 square metres by 2021. The target provision over forthcoming five-year periods will be broadly as follows: i) 1050 square metres by 2016 j) 950 square metres between 2016-2021. These targets will be reviewed regularly and amended in light of new evidence in relation to forecast expenditure and population. Proposals that would result in provision over and above these targets will be considered on their merits taking into account their appropriateness in scale and function to the relevant centre. With regard to convenience (food) shopping: k) Proposals for any major convenience (food) floorspace (over 1,000sq metres) over the Plan period will generally be resisted l) Smaller scale local convenience stores coming forward will be considered on their merits taking into account the criteria listed above.

To maintain and enhance the viability, vitality and variety of shops and services within the Principal Town and Key Centres and retain shops and services in other smaller settlements

To maintain and enhance the viability, vitality and variety of shops and services within the Principal Town and Key Centres and retain shops and services in other smaller settlements

Transport and Travel

The Council will promote transport measures identified in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, the Highways Agency and transport providers. Development proposals will be expected to contribute to the delivery of transport and travel measures identified as necessary for the development, either on-site as part of the development or through contributions to off-site provision as appropriate. Provision for interchange and access by public transport, walking and cycling will be regarded as particularly important. Every opportunity will need to be taken to integrate means of travel. The following transport and travel measures will be supported at appropriate locations across the District, and development will need to consider the provision of measures and facilities that encourage integration including: a) Secure cycle parking b) A safe network for pedestrians c) Taxi ranks d) A layout to enable convenient access for buses e) Provision of covered waiting facilities f) Improvements to transport hubs within and including the provision of Mobi-Hubs where appropriate g) Links to and from the Grand Union Canal towpath h) Links to and from railway stations. The transfer of road freight to railways and canals in the District will be supported in principle, subject to the provision of a full Transport Assessment and the provisions of all other relevant local, regional or national policies, including an assessment of impact on the environment and amenity. All development should be designed and located to minimise the impacts of travel by motor vehicle on the District. In particular, major development will be expected to be located in areas highly accessible by the most sustainable modes of transport, and to people of all abilities in a socially inclusive and safe manner, in accordance with the user hierarchy below. Priority will be given in the following order: i. Pedestrians, particularly people with restricted mobility ii. Cyclists and where appropriate, horse riders iii. Public transport (including taxis) iv. All forms of motor vehicles. Development will need to demonstrate that: i) It provides a safe and adequate means of access j) It is appropriate in scale to the existing transport infrastructure, including public transport and, where necessary, infrastructure can be improved k) It is integrated with the wider network of transport routes, including public rights of way and cycle paths where appropriate l) It makes adequate provision for all users, including car and other vehicle parking, giving priority to people with mobility difficulties, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians m) It includes, where appropriate, provision for public transport either within the scheme or through contributions n) The impact of the proposal on transport has been fully assessed; for major development this should be done through a comprehensive Transport Assessment detailing the measures that will be used to reduce impacts o) The proposal is accompanied by a draft Green Travel Plan for prospective users and employees of the development for all major development.

To deliver improved and more integrated transport systems and reduce the need to travel by locating development in accessible locations

To deliver improved and more integrated transport systems and reduce the need to travel by locating development in accessible locations