Have your final say on Radlett and Shenley neighbourhood plans

Aldenham Parish Council’s Radlett Neighbourhood Plan and Shenley Parish Council's Shenley Neighbourhood Plan are just one step away from being the first documents of their kind to be adopted in the borough.

Those living in Radlett and Shenley will vote whether to approve their neighbourhood plan when elections take place on May 6.

The neighbourhood plan details a number of policies that help determine whether future planning applications are appropriate for the village.

These policies are more important than ever with Hertsmere Borough Council under pressure from the Government to deliver thousands of new homes across Hertsmere over the next 15 years.

Aldenham Parish Council's neighbourhood plan for Radlett includes policies on housing choices, respecting and enhancing the townscape and landscape of the area and maintaining the vibrancy of the village centre.

It also explores how developments in general can contribute to the vision for the area.

The Shenley neighbourhood plan includes policies on maintaining and enhancing Shenley's rural character, protecting its local green space, and supporting housing mix and choice.

See more: Shenley Neighbourhood Plan to go to referendum in May

Shenley

Ross Whear, head of planning and economic development at Hertsmere Borough Council, said: "The Radlett plan was due to proceed to a referendum in May last year, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was decided that the referendum, like all other elections, could not go ahead.

"In the meantime, the Shenley neighbourhood plan has progressed and it was agreed by Hertsmere borough councillors in October last year that the plan could also move to a referendum.

"If half of votes cast from electors in the respective neighbourhood areas are in support of the plans, then they will be adopted and so will become part of the development plans for the area. That means we will have to take them into account when deciding all types of planning applications, including homes, schools, or community facilities."

Mr Whear added: "Whatever the outcome of May’s referendum, I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication shown by our council officers, neighbourhood plan steering groups in Radlett and Shenley and the dozens of volunteers from the local community who contributed to the preparation of these plans.

"We've worked hard to support Radlett and Shenley parish councils throughout the process and I would encourage as many people as possible who live in each area to vote in the forthcoming referenda."

Aldenham Parish Council covers Radlett, Aldenham, and Letchmore Heath (pictured)

To view the neighbourhood plans visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/radlettplan or www.hertsmere.gov.uk/shenleyplan.

Both plans will proceed to referenda on Thursday May 6, the same day as the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner and Hertfordshire County Council elections, and by-elections for one seat at Aldenham Parish Council and two at Shenley Parish Council.

Voting will be open from 7am until 10pm on May at all polling stations in the Radlett and Shenley neighbourhood areas.

To vote, residents must be registered. The deadline for applying to register is tomorrow (Monday April 19). Register online by visiting www.hertsmere.gov.uk/registertovote.

Anyone who has already applied to vote by post will automatically receive a postal vote. Anyone wishing to vote by post must do so by 5pm on Tuesday April 20.

If more than 50 per cent of the votes are in favour of the neighbourhood plans then the plans will be formally made by HBC later this year.