Hertfordshire Growth Board has announced a new partnership with the UK Screen Investment Programme to accelerate growth across the domestic screen sector.
The programme profiles Hertfordshire and the UK as a global hub of film and TV production to attract investment and bolster the sector further.
Globally-renowned companies including BBC, Sky, Pinewood, Elstree, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Disney and Amazon Prime Video are located primarily in the South East, alongside a multitude of successful independent companies. Major cities such as Bristol, Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and London all have screen clusters with outstanding potential for growth, too. The programme supports the national growth agenda to power up creative industries, with Government offering support through tax and business relief, alongside capital investment.
Hertfordshire Growth Board joins headline partner Hertfordshire Futures, and event partner, University of Hertfordshire, in backing the programme.
The Growth Board is now a supporting partner for the UK Screen Investment Programme Summit, the flagship event in September, which will discuss key themes for growth.
And the Board will host the Investors’ Dinner at The Grove, Watford– where key figures from screen organisations and investors will convene on the eve of the summit.
Hertfordshire Growth Board Chair, Councillor Jeremy Newmark – also Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and Chair, Elstree Studios – said: “Hertfordshire Growth Board is proud to sponsor the UK Screen Investment Programme as part of our commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth across both our county and the UK as a whole. With world-renowned screen companies rooted in Hertfordshire, including Elstree – celebrating its centenary in 2025 – Warner Bro. Studios Leavesden and Sky, we recognise the sector’s vital role in driving innovation, investment, and high-quality employment. This partnership showcases Hertfordshire’s leadership in the UK’s screen sector and our ambition to advance its position as a driver for growth across the whole country.”
For more information, visit: www.screeninvestment.co.uk
Hertfordshire Growth Board is proud to present its Annual Progress Report for 2024/25, showcasing the county’s achievements.
In January 2024, the Board adopted a new Vision supported by six Missions, creating a comprehensive framework for delivering cohesive place leadership across Hertfordshire. This Vision and its Missions form the basis for measuring progress and ensuring accountability to the communities served. The Growth Board’s strength lies in its collaborative approach, bringing together police, health services, businesses, local government, and Homes England to tackle key growth challenges.
The first year of delivering against these Missions has seen significant progress, including:
- The launch of Invest Hertfordshire, a countywide inward investment service.
- The roll-out of superfast broadband to 13,000 premises.
- Securing nearly a quarter of a million pounds in funding to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people in Welwyn Hatfield.
- Selection as a pilot area for accelerating green skills needed to make homes more energy-efficient.
Earlier this year, the Board held its first Parliamentary Reception, attended by over 120 senior representatives. This event showcased Hertfordshire as an economic powerhouse and highlighted the county’s potential to achieve even more with the right support. The Westminster event set out the scale of Hertfordshire’s ambitions and determination to succeed.
Looking ahead, the Hertfordshire Growth Board is committed to building on these successes and driving further progress over the next 12 months.
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Chair, Hertfordshire Growth Board, said: “These accomplishments reflect the collective effort and dedication of the teams and individuals involved. Hertfordshire Growth Board’s convening powers uniquely position it to represent the interests of residents, businesses, and voluntary organisations. With an economy of £46bn, larger than many city regions, and sectors driving UK growth, Hertfordshire’s voice on national issues is crucial. That is why we are developing ambitious plans to give Hertfordshire a collective voice into Government and investors.”
Find out more: HGB Annual Progress Report 2024/25
Welcome to the first Hertfordshire Property Partnership (HPP) Progress Report. HPP is a countywide collaboration involving local government, Herts Living Ltd, Homes England, health services and the police. This partnership views Hertfordshire as one, sharing best practices, knowledge and attracting funding to the region.
HPP was established to address key growth challenges in a collaborative manner, seeking funding opportunities for urban regeneration and major development projects. By integrating services, we aim to meet the needs of our communities and address the demand for housing. This report showcases the exciting projects across our county, supported by the One Public Estate programme.
The programme aims to repurpose surplus public estate for housing and regeneration, unlocking land for development to create new homes and jobs. It is jointly delivered by the Local Government Association and the Office of Government Property within the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Through the support of this programme, Hertfordshire is making significant strides in urban regeneration and growth, ensuring that our public estate is used effectively to support local growth and community needs while driving greater efficiencies.
Click here to read the full report.
To find out more, please email hertfordshirepropertypartnership@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
Planning permission for 10,000 new homes in the Gilston area has been issued by East Herts Council.
The outline planning permissions comprise 8,500 homes for Places for People across six villages and 1,500 homes for Taylor Wimpey in a seventh village.
Alongside new homes, the development includes facilities for business, retail, sports and leisure and healthcare, as well as community spaces, parks and open spaces, new primary and secondary schools and early years facilities.
Together with the earlier granting of permission for new transport infrastructure schemes known as the Central and Eastern Stort Crossings, the outline permissions are a significant milestone in the process of bringing forward the Gilston area development proposal identified in the Council’s 2018 District Plan.
The planning applications were considered by the District Council’s Development Management Committees on 28 February 2023 and 23 March 2023, where it was resolved that permission be granted subject to the finalisation of conditions and completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure the necessary infrastructure.
Councillor Vicky Glover-Ward, Executive Member for Planning and Growth, said: “We are pleased to issue the planning permissions for the delivery of 10,000 homes and associated infrastructure in the Gilston area. This is a major milestone and an important step in achieving sustainable growth in East Herts, and the wider Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.”
Councillor Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “The Section 106 agreement represents a significant milestone for Hertfordshire and the Harlow Gilston Garden Town project. It demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that growth is accompanied by the infrastructure needed to support thriving communities. My thanks to all five Councils, who have strived to get the best possible deal for existing and new residents, yet to arrive. We will be proud of this development when it meets the highest build standards with the right infrastructure creating the homes and communities of the future.”
The permission documents for Villages 1-6 (3/19/1045/OUT) and Village 7 (3/19/2124/OUT) can be viewed on the planning application portal using these reference numbers.
For more information, please contact:
- Victoria Mullins
- Communications, Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8EQ
- communications@eastherts.gov.uk