INTRODUCTION

The Borough of Broxbourne Local Plan Second Review is the framework for guiding, controlling and bringing forward development in the Borough. It covers the period from 2001 to 2011. Policies in this plan integrate with the Hertfordshire Structure Plan Review 1991-2011 which was adopted in 1998. The Development Plan for the Borough also comprises a Waste Local Plan and Minerals Local Plan produced by Hertfordshire County Council.

The functions of this Local Plan are:

(a) To update the polices contained in the Borough of Broxbourne Local Plan Review (adopted in December 1994);

(b) To relate the policies in the Structure Plan and national planning guidance to a local level; and

(c) To provide a basis for the determination of planning applications and co-ordination of development in the Borough.

Status of the Plan

This written statement was agreed by the Council on 1st November 2005 . The policies in this plan replace those in the Borough of Broxbourne Local Plan Review (1994). Under the new Planning Acts, these policies are ‘saved’ for three years from adoption of the plan. The Council’s Local Development Scheme gives updated details of the status of policies.

The Local Plan consists of the written statement and a proposals map. A glossary of terms and listings of wildlife and heritage sites in the Borough are contained at the back.

Further information on development standards and the operation of specific policies can be found in supplementary advice issued by the Council to this Local Plan. These will be adopted as statements of council policy and will eventually become supplementary planning documents in the new local development framework.

Preparation of the Local Plan Second Review

The Local Plan has been prepared under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts , associated regulations and government advice.

Following the publication of a ‘Key Issues’ report in December 2000, the Council prepared a First Deposit Plan which was the subject of public consultation in April and May 2001.

A Second Deposit Plan was published in March 2003 which included changes in response to the First Deposit and significant revisions to government guidance. This was subject to a further period of public consultation in April and May 2003.

Pre-Inquiry changes to the Second Deposit Plan were published in December 2003. A Public Local Inquiry into all outstanding objections to the Plan opened in March 2004 and closed in October 2004. During the Inquiry a number of further changes were proposed by the Council.

The Inspector’s report on the Inquiry was published in May 2005. A Statement of Council’s decision on the Inspector’s recommendations and a List of Proposed Modifications was published for the public consultation during July following consideration of the responses to the Modifications, the Council agreed to adopt this Local Plan, on 1st November.

Further information and copies of earlier stages of this Local Plan, the Inspector’s report and supporting documents in its preparation can be obtained from the Borough Offices.

Changes to the Local Planning System : The Local Development Framework.

Following the commencement of the Planning and Compensation Act 2004, new requirements for the preparation of development plans are now in effect. This adopted Local plan will be replaced by a series of documents collectively know as the Local Development Framework. Under the new system, the Development Plan will comprise of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England (RSS) and a series of ‘Development Plan Documents’ (DPD) covering the Borough.

The Council have published a Local Development Scheme (LDS) which sets out the timetable for replacing the Local Plan Second Review and gives more details on the new preparation process. The LDS sets out the timetable for preparation and adoption of the various Local Development Documents starting in the next 3 years; it also outlines which policies are proposed to be ‘saved’ from this plan until these are superseded by the new Development Plan Documents. The Scheme is re-submitted to the Secretary of State annually in March.

Copies of this Local Plan, supporting guidance and the Local Development Scheme are available on the Council’s website www.broxbourne.gov.uk.

Further information and advice

Further information on any aspect of this plan or the new Local Development Framework can be obtained from

Local Plans Team
Environmental Services
Borough of Broxbourne
Bishops College, Churchgate
Cheshunt
EN8 9XB

Tel 01992-785559
e-mail : localplans@broxbourne.gov.uk