Berkhamsted and Tring branch of Labour Party raise concerns about Dacorum's Local Plan

The Berkhamsted and Tring branch of the Labour Party has raised concerns about the plan and how some of the points in the plan will be met.

On November 27, Dacorum Borough Council launched the consultation on the Emerging Strategy for Growth – the next step to creating the new Dacorum Local Plan 2020-2038, and invited people their say on the plans in the consultation.

Last month, the council extended the deadline for the consultation, so more residents can have their say on the plans, the deadline for feedback is now 11.59pm on Sunday, February 28, 2021.

The Berkhamsted and Tring branch of the Labour Party has raised concerns about meeting zero carbon emissions by 2030, what affordable housing means and the impact of the developments of the borough's infrastructure.

Dacorum Borough Council is consulting on a range of emerging Local Plan policies and is encouraging residents and interested groups to have their say on the Local Plan, the consultation was extended to allow more people to share their views. The deadline is Sunday, February 28.

Phil Parry, Executive Committee of Berkhamsted and Tring Branch of the Labour Party, said: "Many of your readers will be aware that the Dacorum Borough Council Local Plan currently out for consultation proposes to allow 16,596 new houses to be built.

"We have studied the proposals carefully and whilst appreciating government constraints on local councils we have some serious reservations about the plan.

"Firstly, we need quantified targets to ensure we meet the Dacorum aim of zero carbon emissions by 2030.

"At the moment the plan simply has vague ill-defined aims as to how we will get there. Nothing is said about such things as new buildings minimum insulation, rooftop solar panels, efficient heating systems or all-electric buses.

"Secondly, we welcome the commitment to genuinely affordable social housing but again it's vague as to what 'affordable' means.

"If it's proposed that the current government guidance of 80% of market value is used the majority of people in Dacorum will still not be able to buy a home in our area.

"We believe that genuinely 'affordable' means the mortgage/rent payment should be no more than one-third of household income.

"Lastly, the Local Plan pays insufficient attention to the impact of these developments on our local infrastructure such as more cars, roads and pollution.

"We need housing development which does not actively encourage increased car usage and congestion and which instead promotes alternatives such as electric-powered public transport, walkways, cycle paths and green spaces.

"In 2021-2038 we face a climate emergency and we should be addressing how to tackle it now."

Dacorum Borough Council is encouraging residents to have their say on the Local Plan, you can submit your comments to the council by the February 28 deadline.

A Dacorum Borough Council spokesperson said: "The council is consulting on a range of emerging Local Plan policies.

"On housing, the council sets out how it will ensure new affordable homes are ‘genuinely’ affordable. More detailed guidance will be provided in an Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document, which the Council is preparing.

"The Local Plan also proposes a number of ambitious policies to address climate change, taking forward the Council’s climate emergency resolution in July 2019.

"The Plan is also supported by an emerging Infrastructure Delivery Plan setting out the new infrastructure required to support new growth.

"We welcome comments from all residents and interested groups, and we have extended the consultation from the statutory six weeks to over 13 weeks until 23:59 on 28 February 2021 to allow this.

"Further information about the Local Plan and details of how to take part in the consultation are available at www.dacorum.gov.uk/localplan."

Comments on the consultation can be submitted by:

> Post: Strategic Planning, Dacorum Borough Council. The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. HP1 1DN

> Email: [email protected]

> Using the online consultation portal.

Read: Consultation deadline extended for Dacorum's Local Plan