Planning Harlow’s future
Harlow’s local plan explained Harlow’s Local Plan is set to be adopted this summer. This follows its examination over the last year by a government appointed planning inspector. He’s agreed that the plan can move to the next stage, which involves public consultation on his modifications to the plan. It’s expected that his final report will be issued in early summer. You can read the latest on our website’s local plan section.
Why do we have to have a local plan? Developing the plan has been a government requirement since 2012, as a strategy to ensure that councils make provision for building the new houses the country needs, linked to the provision of land for jobs and the necessary infrastructure, as well as safeguarding the wider natural environment. The plan has been a hugely complex piece of work which we’ve committed significant resources to over the last 4 years.
What is “duty to cooperate”? Duty to cooperate is a government requirement. It’s designed to make neighbouring councils work together, so that local plans complement each other and the infrastructure needed to deliver the housing is provided. Harlow Council has cooperated with Epping Forest, East Herts, Essex and Hertfordshire councils as part of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town project.
What happens if councils do not meet government targets for housing or fails in its “duty to cooperate”? Planning would be taken out of the hands of the local council. Instead a local plan would be imposed upon that district by government. What are the benefits of the plan for Harlow? More housing to help those on Harlow’s housing needs register. Economic development bringing future growth and new jobs to the town. A better public transport system, and a thriving town centre.
18 harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
What has guided the development of the plan? We currently have over 4,000 families on Harlow’s housing needs register. We’ve set a housebuilding target in the plan which is above the minimum required by government. We’ve established a policy that requires 30% of new housing to be deemed as ‘affordable housing’ over the plan period, so as many homes as possible are made available to those on the register. We’ve pledged to preserve the garden town nature of Harlow by protecting the play areas, green wedges and the green fingers of Gibberd’s original design. So that new developments do not significantly increase congestion we are promoting sustainable public transport corridors to encourage people to leave their cars at home when travelling around town.
Where will new housing go? Most of the housing will be built east of Harlow. Because there is little land within Harlow, some housing will be built on sites like unused garages and redundant commercial buildings. Why are you building to the north, south and west of Harlow? Harlow Council is not building in these areas. These developments are in Epping and East Herts and will be part of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town project. We’ve worked with Epping and East Herts to make sure that these developments extend the green wedges through them so that residents can still access the countryside.
