Businesses and local authority leaders showcased to MPs and the Government how Hertfordshire is an economic powerhouse driving UK growth and productivity – and how it could achieve even more with the right support.
Over 120 senior representatives from central and local government, key sector industries, small businesses, education and the voluntary sector from across Hertfordshire attended the House of Commons reception on Thursday, 6 February.
The event, organised by the Hertfordshire Growth Board, aimed to demonstrate to the county’s 12 MPs and Government ministers how Hertfordshire is already delivering on the UK’s growth agenda through its shared Vision and Missions.
However, in order to realise the county’s potential, delegates heard that the Government would need to remove barriers to growth by cutting red tape, boosting investment and plugging an estimated infrastructure funding gap of at least £14bn to support local growth plans up to 2050.
The Hertfordshire Growth Board comprises the 10 district and borough councils, the County Council, business leaders, the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB), Homes England, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), and the University of Hertfordshire.
Attendees heard about the significant progress Hertfordshire Growth Board is making against its Vision and six Missions, including:
- A local economy generating £46 billion net per year – larger than many cities and combined local authority areas.
- Globally significant businesses creating high-value jobs and fast-tracking innovation across key sectors.
- A commitment to delivering 100,000 high-quality, sustainable homes that foster safe and healthy communities.
- Enhancing high-speed connectivity and developing a more integrated, low-carbon transport system.
- Championing green growth and promoting biodiversity and nature recovery.
Kevin Bonavia, MP for Stevenage and event host, said: “I was very proud to host the Hertfordshire Growth Board Westminster reception. The central driving mission of this new Government’s agenda is clear: Growth, growth, growth. This is not just to turbocharge our economy for its own sake, but to unlock the funds needed to rebuild our public services, foster an environment where workers and businesses thrive together, alleviate the cost of living crisis, and generate well-paid, skilled jobs in future sectors.
“Hertfordshire is critical to UK growth, with national and international contributions to sectors such as life sciences, space, defence, media, arts, and more. My fellow Hertfordshire MPs and I, along with the board, business leaders, SMEs, councils, and communities, are committed to unleashing the ambitions and aspirations of our county.”
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and Chair of Hertfordshire Growth Board, stressed the importance of collaboration between Hertfordshire MPs, the Growth Board, and businesses to unlock further investment. He said: “We are already making strong progress, but today we are calling upon the Government to partner with us to boost Hertfordshire’s growth even further and help us deliver our ambitious agenda. We are asking them to provide the long-term funding certainty needed to drive things forward whilst also strengthening our places, people and communities.”
Mayor Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford and Vice Chair of Hertfordshire Growth Board, said: “Hertfordshire is improving the speed and scale of housing delivery with two new Garden Towns on track to build 10,000 new homes each. The Herts IQ enterprise zone also offers tremendous opportunities to incentivise green investment and accelerate delivery using offsite construction. While there is much to celebrate without addressing the chronic underinvestment in infrastructure, Hertfordshire and the rest of the UK will lag behind.”
Cllr Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Hertfordshire is the county of opportunity and our world-leading sectors are key to unlocking UK growth. In order to create the optimum environment for our business and communities to thrive, we need to draw down on much-needed investment and cut needless red tape that could hamper our progress.”
Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans and Deputy Leader, Liberal Democrats, said: “Hertfordshire is primed to be an even bigger engine of economic growth, especially as our county is a leader in the life sciences and creative industries. But having thriving high streets is also vitally important as a primary driver of building strong and inclusive local economies, and the government need to re-double their efforts to unleash the growth potential of our small businesses and high streets, in Hertfordshire and beyond.”
Delegates also heard from key sector businesses about why Hertfordshire remains such an attractive investment proposition.
Caroline Cooper, Chief Operating Officer, Sky Studios, said: “Home to Sky Studios Elstree, Hertfordshire provides fantastic opportunities for businesses s like Sky to invest and support the growth of the UK’s creative industries. Most recently, our sister company NBC Universal filmed both parts of Wicked on site at Sky Studios Elstree, and we look forward to further international investment in the UK’s production landscape. We’re proud of the hub of film and TV production sites that have grown in the area, and are eager to continue to boost the UK’s creative economy.”
Ellie Junod, Global Real Assets Investment Manager, UBS Asset Management, said: “As a key hub in Hertfordshire, Stevenage has a unique opportunity to position itself as leader for Cell & Gene Therapy, not just on a national but an international basis. Working closely with local partners our investment into Stevenage, and the wider Hertfordshire area, will help catalyse this future growth.”
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
Hertfordshire has always been at the forefront of planning for growth, having pioneered the first garden cities and first new town. Indeed, within the county we have already committed to building an additional 100,000 homes and generating 100,000 new jobs over the next 10 years, ensuring residents and businesses thrive. We are working with Homes England and other partners to deliver 24,000 new homes at Harlow Gilston Garden Town with 10,000 of those new homes at Gilston in Hertfordshire, together with a further 10,000 new homes as part of the Hemel Garden Communities proposal.
We were delighted to see Minister Matthew Pennycook and Sir Michael Lyons launch the New Towns Taskforce in Stevenage a few months ago and to welcome representatives of the Taskforce to discuss proposals for Hemel Garden Communities earlier this week.
Hertfordshire County Council is pleased to announce a landmark achievement in housing development, marking the highest number of new homes built in any year since 2001.
In the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, councils across Hertfordshire delivered 5,387 new homes. This remarkable milestone underscores the County Council’s commitment to addressing the housing needs of residents.
One of the highlights of this achievement is the focus on affordability. An impressive 30% of the gross new homes are affordable, catering to a range of needs:
- 864 affordable rent units
- 389 shared equity units
- 376 social rent units
- 16 intermediate units
Housing by numbers
Equally noteworthy is Hertfordshire’s dedication to sustainable development, with 68% of these new homes constructed on brownfield land, showcasing the County’s commitment to regenerating underused areas and minimising impact on green spaces.
Looking ahead, the future of housing in Hertfordshire continues to thrive. There are currently 27,448 homes with planning permission set to be built in the coming years, ensuring that the momentum in housing growth is maintained. Large scale projects include Harlow Gilston Garden Town, Hemel Garden Communities, Growing Baldock town expansion and Brookfield in Cheshunt, and it’s these developments that will contribute to the county’s target to build 100,000 homes over the next decade.
In addition, Hertfordshire Property Partnership (HPP) has secured over £2.6 million in Brownfield Land Release Fund support from the government’s One Public Estate programme. These funds will be utilised across seven sites in the county, with two projects already completed and the remaining five expected to deliver approximately 662 homes. All of these projects are integral parts of the ongoing regeneration efforts in Hertfordshire.
Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council said: “This record-breaking year is a testament to our unwavering dedication to providing much-needed housing for our communities. We are not only building homes but also creating vibrant, sustainable, and affordable communities where residents can enjoy a high-quality of living in the place they call home. The support from the Brownfield Land Release Fund further propels our efforts in regenerating areas and ensuring a bright future for Hertfordshire.”
Sajida Bijle, Chief Executive of Hertsmere Borough Council and Chair of HPP said: “Securing over £2.6 million in BLRF funding represents a significant achievement for the Hertfordshire Property Partnership. This collaboration with district and borough councils is set to transform seven key sites across the county, with two projects already completed. The remaining four sites will deliver approximately 662 homes, contributing to the ongoing regeneration efforts within Hertfordshire. This funding is a testament to our collaborative working across Hertfordshire and beyond with a clear commitment to infrastructure as well as providing much needed housing solutions. This is particularly important in Hertfordshire, where land values are very high and affordability is well below the national average.”
To learn more about Sustainable Growth in Hertfordshire visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/weare