Grovehill residents could be voting on neighbourhood plan soon

Residents of Grovehill could soon be heading to the ballot box to decide whether to vote in a proposed neighbourhood plan for the estate.
The plan looks at improvements to Henry Wells SquareThe plan looks at improvements to Henry Wells Square
The plan looks at improvements to Henry Wells Square

The Grovehill Future Neighbourhood Plan was officially submitted to Dacorum Borough Council last Monday (March 13).

The plan has been in the pipeline for five years, and puts focus on enabling growth on the estate, utilising underused spaces, as well as improvements to Henry Wells Square and blocks of garages.

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The contents of the plan will be checked by an indpendent inspector, and if they are found to be robust then residents will vote on whether to implement the plan in a local referendum.

Residents will vote on whether to approve the Grovehill Neighbourhood PlanResidents will vote on whether to approve the Grovehill Neighbourhood Plan
Residents will vote on whether to approve the Grovehill Neighbourhood Plan

The ‘Grovehill Future’ steering group was formed in February 2012 by members of the community, businesses and ward councillors to lead on the Neighbourhood Plan.

Its chairman, Mike Devlin, told the Gazette: “It’s a chance for the residents to help shape its future up until 2030.

“The plan is quite diverse and there’s two or three things we’re looking at.

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“Henry Wells Square is looking a bit tired and run down and we want to address its future.

Residents will vote on whether to approve the Grovehill Neighbourhood PlanResidents will vote on whether to approve the Grovehill Neighbourhood Plan
Residents will vote on whether to approve the Grovehill Neighbourhood Plan

People want it to be a bit more open and welcoming and become more of a social centre.”

The plan suggests including housing units above the retail units at the square.

It also suggests that land occupied by underused garage blocks could be better used.

Grovehill was built in two phases in the late 60s and early 70s, and is home to nearly 8,000 residents.