• Core Strategy, 2011 - 2033 (adopted 23 Oct 2018)

• Bishop's Stortford - Silverleys & Meads Neighbourhood Plan
• Bishop's Stortford - All Saints, Central, South & Part of Thorley Neighbourhood Plan
• Braughing Neighbourhood Plan
• Buntingford Community Area Neighbourhood Plan
• Walkern Neighbourhood Plan

Policy HERT3 West of Hertford

I. Land to the west of Hertford is allocated as a residential site, to accommodate a minimum of 550 homes by 2022, with around 300 homes being provided to the north of Welwyn Road and around 250 homes south of Welwyn Road/west of Thieves Lane.

II. A Masterplan will be collaboratively prepared, involving site promoters, landowners, East Herts Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertford Town Council, and other key stakeholders. This document will further be informed by public participation in the process.

III. The development of around 300 dwellings to the north of Welwyn Road is expected to address the following provisions and issues: ...
(h) encouragement of sustainable transport measures, both through improvements to the existing walking, cycling and bridleway networks in the locality and through new provision, which should also provide links with the adjoining area and the town centre (which should include, inter alia, the improvement of pedestrian and cycle access to Perrett Gardens and links from the Sele Farm estate to public footpaths and bridleways in the locality); shared use cycle/pedestrian way alongside Welwyn Road; enhanced passenger transport services (including, inter alia, improved service provision and the provision of new bus stops and shelters on B1000 Welwyn Road);
(i) protection of public rights of way and other public access routes running through or on the boundaries of the site;
(j) landscaping and planting, both within the site and peripheral, which responds to the existing landscape and complements development, as appropriate, including the provision of a suitable buffer between the development and existing woodland areas and a defined, recognisable boundary to the Green Belt;
(k) public open spaces across the site, including the provision of play areas and opportunities for outdoor health and fitness activities, as well as space for wildlife;
(l) quality local green infrastructure through the site including opportunities for preserving and enhancing on-site assets, maximising opportunities to link into existing assets and enhance biodiversity including the protection of Local Wildlife Site 59/077; Archers Spring; and other woodland and wildlife interests in the area, including a suitable buffer between woodland and development;

IV. The development of around 250 homes to the south of Welwyn Road/west of Thieves Lane is expected to address the following provisions and issues: ...
(h) encouragement of sustainable transport measures, both through improvements to the existing walking, cycling and bridleway networks in the locality and through new provision, which should also provide links with the adjoining area and the town centre; shared use cycle/pedestrian way alongside Welwyn Road; enhanced passenger transport services (including, inter alia, improved service provision and the provision of new bus stops and shelters on B1000 Welwyn Road);
(i) protection of all public rights of way and other public access routes running through or on the boundaries of the site;
(j) landscaping and planting, both within the site and peripheral, which responds to the existing landscape and complements development, as appropriate, including, inter alia, the provision of a suitable buffer between the development and the existing woodland and a defined, recognisable boundary to the Green Belt;
(k) taking into account the contents of the 'Panshanger Park and its environs Heritage Impact Assessment, July 2016' and including measures to ensure that development respects the relationship with this sensitive location. Such measures should include, inter alia, the creation of gateway landscaping to the south of the site, which protects key views into and from within the Panshanger Country Park and ensures that the development is successfully mitigated;
(l) contributions towards the Panshanger Country Park;
(m) public open spaces across the site, including the provision of play areas and opportunities for outdoor health and fitness activities, as well as space for wildlife;
(n) quality local green infrastructure through the site including opportunities for preserving and enhancing on-site assets, maximising opportunities to link into existing assets and enhance biodiversity including the protection of Local Wildlife Site 58/025; Ancient and other woodland and wildlife interests in the area, including a suitable buffer between woodland and development;
(o) the delivery of all other necessary on-site and appropriate off-site infrastructure;

Policy HERT4 North of Hertford

I. Land to the north of Hertford is allocated as a residential development site to accommodate a minimum of 150 homes, with around 50 dwellings being provided to the north of Sacombe Road by 2022; and, subject to the satisfactory previous phased extraction of mineral deposits on the neighbouring site, around 100 homes to the west of B158 Wadesmill Road between 2022 and 2027.

II. A Masterplan will be collaboratively prepared, involving site promoters, landowners, East Herts Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertford Town Council, and other key stakeholders. This document will further be informed by public participation in the process.

III. The development is expected to address the following provisions and issues: ...

(h) encouragement of sustainable transport measures, both through improvements to the existing walking, cycling and bridleway networks in the locality and through new provision, which should also provide links with the adjoining area and the town centre and enhanced passenger transport services;
(i) protection of all public rights of way (including, inter alia, the protection of the restricted byway) and other public access routes running through or on the boundaries of the site;
(j) landscaping and planting, both within the site and peripheral, which responds to the existing landscape and complements development, as appropriate and provides a defined, recognisable boundary to the Green Belt;
(k) public open spaces across the site, including the provision of play areas and opportunities for outdoor health and fitness activities, as well as space for wildlife;
(l) quality local green infrastructure through the site including opportunities for preserving and enhancing on-site assets, maximising opportunities to link into existing assets and enhance biodiversity;
(m) measures to ensure that any impact on wildlife within the site and at the nearby Waterford Heath nature reserve is successfully mitigated;
(n) the delivery of all other necessary on-site and appropriate off-site infrastructure;

Policy WARE2 Land North and East of Ware

I. Land to the North and East of Ware is allocated as a mixed-use development site, to accommodate at least 1,000 new homes by 2033.

II. In the event that suitable mitigation measures to identified constraints on both the local and wider strategic road networks can be identified and agreed by Hertfordshire County Council as Transport Authority, a further 500 dwellings will also be delivered in this location.

III. A Masterplan setting out the quantum and distribution of land uses; access; sustainable high quality design and layout principles; necessary infrastructure; the relationship between the site and other nearby settlements; landscape and heritage assets; and other relevant matters, will be collaboratively prepared involving site promoters, landowners, East Herts Council, Hertfordshire County Council, town and parish councils and key stakeholders. This document will further be informed by public participation in the process.

IV. The site will incorporate Garden City principles and be planned comprehensively to create a new sustainable community which connects well with and complements the existing town and its existing historic centre.

V. The development is expected to address the following provisions and issues: ...
(l) encouragement of sustainable transport measures, both through improvements to the existing walking, cycling and bridleway networks in the locality and through new provision, which should also provide links with the adjoining area and the town centre (which should also include a direct public footpath and cycleway from the High Oak Road area to enable direct pedestrian and cycle access to Wodson Park and the A1170), together with enhanced passenger transport services (particularly in respect of bus provision and access to the town centre and railway station);
(r) a variety of public open spaces across the site, including the provision of play areas, allotments, and opportunities for outdoor health and fitness activities, as well as space for wildlife; ...

Policy GA1 The Gilston Area

I. In accordance with Policy DPS3 (Housing Supply 2011-2033), land at the Gilston Area is allocated for development to accommodate 10,000 homes, to be delivered within this Plan period and beyond. It is anticipated that at least 3,000 homes will be delivered by 2033.

II. A Concept Framework is being jointly prepared by the landowners, the Council and the local community. The Concept Framework identifies design principles, potential land uses, infrastructure requirements and phasing, and will be used as a benchmark in reviewing proposals for development. Prior to the submission of any planning application(s) further design work through the pre-aplication engagement process will be required in order to agree, among other things, the quantum and distribution of land uses, access and layout principles.
...

IV. A community engagement strategy will be prepared, working with the two local parishes, which will include consideration of managing the effects on local residents, and opportunities for them to participate in the emerging new community. Engagement with the local communities and other relevant stakeholders shall take place through the planning application process and through the development of village Masterplans.

V. The development is expected to address the following provisions and issues: ...
(l) sustainable transport measures which encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport including:

• the provision of cycleways and footways that provide links throughout the site and into Harlow;
• enhancement of existing bridleways and footpaths;

Text 12.2.5 (East of Stevenage)

Mitigation will be required on the highway network, including improvements to the Gresley Way/A602 junction and other local roads as necessary. The development will need to ensure that existing Bridleways (Aston 004 and Aston 021) are maintained and new routes are provided to connect the site to Stevenage to the west and to the wider countryside to the east.

Policy EOS1 Land East of Stevenage

I. Land at Gresley Park is allocated for development to accommodate around 600 new homes by 2023.

II. A landscape-led Masterplan setting out the quantum and distribution of land uses; access; sustainable high quality design and layout principles; necessary infrastructure; the relationship between the site and other nearby settlements; landscape and heritage assets; and other relevant matters, will be collaboratively prepared, involving site promoters, landowners, East Herts Council, Stevenage Borough Council, parish councils and key stakeholders. This document will further be informed by public participation in the process.

III. The development is expected to address the following provisions and issues: ...
(i) sustainable transport measures which encourage walking and cycling through the site, including:

• the provision of cycleways and footways that provide links into Stevenage including existing cycle networks and the provision of a high quality cycle route along Gresley Way between Six Hills Way and Fairlands Way, with links to Six Hills Way;
• enhancement of existing bridleways and footpaths connecting the site to the Beane Valley to the east of the site;
• enhanced passenger transport services including the creation of a sustainable transport route through the site;

IV. In order to ensure that the site is planned and delivered comprehensively, any application for development on part of the site will be assessed against its contribution to the masterplan, and will ensure that such development would not prejudice the implementation of the site allocation as a whole.

Text 19.4 Public Rights of Way

19.4.1 Rights of Way are footpaths, bridleways and byways which have public access. Hertfordshire has an extensive Rights of Way network of over 5,200 paths totalling more than 3,000km. These paths are shown on a map and have a written description in a legal record called the Definitive Map and Statement, which is looked after by Hertfordshire County Council's Rights of Way Service at County Hall, Hertford.

19.4.2 The Public Rights of Way network has always been an asset for recreation or for the purpose of everyday use such as getting to the local shop or to a bus stop for example. This valuable resource, often taken for granted, now plays an even more important role with regards to people’s health and wellbeing and can contribute towards reducing carbon emissions by encouraging travel on foot or by bicycle rather than by car. Public Rights of Way also help to boost tourism and therefore contribute towards the local economy. Without them it would be difficult for residents and visitors alike to access the countryside we have in and around East Herts.

19.4.3 Development proposals should therefore take full account of the need to protect and enhance Public Rights of Way.

Policy CFLR3 Public Rights of Way

Proposals for development must not adversely affect any Public Right of Way and, where possible, should incorporate measures to maintain and enhance the Rights of Way network.

Policy CFLR5 The Lee Valley Regional Park

I. The District Council supports the Lee Valley Regional Park Development Framework, which will be treated as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications in this area.

II. Proposals for leisure related developments within the Lee Valley Regional Park will be supported in principle provided that intensive land-use leisure activities and associated buildings are located as unobtrusively as possible near existing settlements and do not conflict with other policies within this Plan.

Text 19.7 Equine Development

19.7.1 Equestrian related activities are popular forms of recreation and economic development in the countryside. These uses, including riding schools and stables, can fit in well with agricultural activities and help to diversify the rural economy. The Council will support equine development that maintains environmental quality and the character of the countryside.

19.7.2 While equestrian development can be appropriate in the open countryside, the cumulative impact of horse related activities and associated buildings can have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of rural areas. Existing buildings should, wherever possible, be re-used. New buildings for horse related activities, including stables, field shelters and tack rooms should be no larger than is essential. In most cases isolated development is unlikely to be acceptable.

19.7.3 All equestrian development, whether domestic or commercial, should be of an appropriate scale and design and careful attention should be given to siting, materials and landscaping to avoid an adverse impact on the countryside. Particular care will be needed where floodlighting is proposed in order to avoid an unacceptable impact on residential amenity. In assessing any application, regard will be had to the British Horse Society standards for grazing. Where commercial development is proposed in the Green Belt, the requirement to demonstrate ‘very special circumstances’ in accordance with the NPPF will apply.

Policy CFLR6 Equine Development

I. Proposals for equine development, whether domestic or commercial, will be permitted when the following criteria are met:
(a) The proposal is sited or landscaped to minimise visual intrusion;
(b) Where new buildings are proposed, applicants must demonstrate that existing structures cannot be re-used;
(c) The siting, scale and design of the proposal is in keeping with the character of the area, with adequate pasture to support horses. Particular regard will be had to the cumulative effect of proposals on local landscape or biodiversity interests;
(d) The amenity of nearby residential properties is not adversely affected, for example, in relation to floodlighting, noise and disturbance;
(e) The proposal would not (by itself or cumulatively) have a significant adverse impact in terms of traffic generation;
(f) The proposal does not result in harm to the ecological network, including partial or complete loss or degradation of Local Wildlife Sites or priority habitats;
(g) The proposal does not conflict with other policies within this Plan.

II. Where commercial equestrian development is proposed in the Green Belt, the requirement to demonstrate 'very special circumstances' will apply in accordance with the NPPF.

III. Proposals that result in the loss of equestrian facilities should be accompanied by an Equestrian Needs Assessment which demonstrates that the facilities are no longer needed.