Stevenage West
In 1998 Hertfordshire County Council adopted its Structure Plan 1991 - 2011. This document sets out the Countywide planning policies that the local authorities must conform to. The housing policies that were adopted set out to provide 65,000 extra dwellings in the County between 1991 and 2011; this figure was based on information provided by Central Government. The idea of a "sustainable urban extension" to the west of the A1(M) at Stevenage was put forward by the County Council in the adopted Structure Plan and is supported by Stevenage Borough Council.
In the summer of 2001 "The West Stevenage Consortium", a group of national house builders comprising Persimmon, Taylor Woodrow, Bryant, Leach, Wilcon and Redrow submitted outline planning applications for 3,600 dwellings with associated development, and 5,000 dwellings with associated development to both Stevenage Borough Council and North Hertfordshire District Council.
In November 2002, the First Secretary of State "called in" both planning applications in order for them to be determined by himself, following a local inquiry, instead of the local authorities making the decision.
The local inquiry was held in public in Letchworth from the 20th January 2004 until the 25th October 2004.
On the 20th October 2005, the First Secretary of State (Rt Hon John Prescott MP) informed Stevenage Borough Council that he is "minded to grant" planning permission for 3,600 homes plus schools, community facilities, playing fields, shops and transport infrastructure at Stevenage West.
This decision is dependent upon planning conditions and "an appropriately reformulated planning obligation". The West Stevenage Consortium and the 3 local authorities involved (Stevenage Borough Council, North Hertfordshire District Council and Hertfordshire County Council) have been in negotiations since October 2005 to resolve this issue.
In November 2006 the West Stevenage Consortium submitted a new planning obligation to the Secretary of State, which the 3 local authorities have commented on. It is now for the Secretary of State to make the final decision on whether to grant planning permission for the 3,600 homes and associated infrastructure. This decision is expected in Summer 2007
In line with the Inspector's recommendations, the Secretary of State has refused planning permission for the 5,000 home scheme because he considers that it is not in accordance with current planning policy
For any additional information please contact:
Regeneration Unit
Stevenage Borough Council
Daneshill House
Danestrete
Stevenage
SG1 1HN
Tel: 01438 242891
e-mail: regeneration@stevenage.gov.uk