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

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC) is set to receive £243,000 from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as part of the government’s £68m initiative to unlock brownfield sites for housing development. This funding will enable the Council to modernise Howlands House in Welwyn Garden City, used to provide temporary accommodation for local individuals and families who are homeless.

Howlands House provides temporary accommodation for local residents waiting to be assessed or given alternative housing due to homelessness but now, over 40 years after its construction, the site is in poor condition and the current design does not meet modern standards. Redeveloping this accommodation has been an aspiration for WHBC for some time, however, the viability of the scheme has been a challenge due to increasing building costs.  The additional government funding allows the scheme to progress to the next stage and will aid the overall viability of the proposed redevelopment.

The site is due to be developed as part of WHBC’s Affordable Housing Programme and the additional £243K funding, secured by WHBC as part of the Hertfordshire Property Partnership (HPP) through HM Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2), will help to bring forward the project’s delivery date. The proposed new scheme will provide more welcoming temporary accommodation properties as well as a staff office, children’s play area, parking and associated landscaping.

HPP has worked with district and borough councils to successfully secure over £2.6 million in BLRF funding from government overall. The money will be used across seven sites in Hertfordshire with two already completed. The remaining five sites are expected to deliver approximately 662 homes and are all part of regeneration projects in the county.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the government’s commitment to a brownfield-first approach to housebuilding, stating, “This funding for councils will see disused sites and industrial wastelands transformed into thousands of new homes in places that people want to live and work.

“Our brownfield-first approach will not only ramp up housebuilding but also create more jobs, deliver much-needed infrastructure, and boost economic growth across the country.”

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook added, “The funding announced today will support the delivery of thousands of new homes and boost economic growth by unlocking development on scores of abandoned, disused, and neglected urban sites across the country.”

Cllr Max Holloway, Leader, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council said: “Supporting and preventing homelessness and the provision of affordable homes are priorities for WHBC. It’s great to receive this funding from the Government which will help us bring forward the delivery of a key project in our Affordable Housing Programme – and importantly provide for better temporary accommodation for local people in their time of need.

“Howlands House is an important development and this funding will mean that we are able to continue to provide security and respite for local families at times of huge distress and uncertainty.”

Sajida Bijle, Chief Executive, 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.”

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Chair of the Hertfordshire Growth Board: “This injection of funds by the government, including £243,000 for Welwyn Hatfield, is fantastic news for Hertfordshire as a whole. It’s an investment in meeting the county’s housing needs, ensuring we have the infrastructure to support families and individuals in need, while revitalising a key area. This will only bolster the extent to which Hertfordshire contributes to the national growth mission.”

Angie Ridgwell, Chief Executive, Hertfordshire County Council said: “The modernisation of Howlands House marks a significant step forward in addressing our local housing needs. This funding will provide quality temporary accommodation and also support regeneration of the area for the community to enjoy.”

The Hertfordshire Growth Board reacts to government’s 2024 budget announcements, which reflect a commitment to long term growth for the country and tackling immediate spend pressures. HGB are encouraged by the increased funding for affordable homes projects, healthcare provision and a refreshed industrial strategy.  

Yesterday Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her first budget setting out Government’s plans for investing in the foundations of future growth. Key announcements include an extra £500m in new funding for the Affordable Homes Programme, additional funding for the NHS, boosting investment in science and technology, transitioning to clean energy, and upgrading infrastructure, as well as £240 million in funding to help people back into work.

Measures announced yesterday will further support HGB’s Vision and Missions for a world-class economy, building the right homes in the right places, tackling homelessness/ temporary accommodation challenges, and a healthier, more sustainable county. Hertfordshire is an economic powerhouse with high growth sectors in advanced manufacturing, creative industries, digital, life sciences as well as professional business services collectively providing significant contribution to the national economy as well as thousands of quality local jobs.

The county is also leading the way in delivering thousands of quality new homes in the right places. In Hertfordshire, we pioneered the first garden cities and new towns and have committed to building an additional 100,000 homes over the next 15-20 years.  This includes two new towns – Harlow Gilston Garden Town and Hemel Garden Communities – each delivering over 10,000 homes and inclusive, integrated communities with better access to nature, green spaces, and self-sustaining economies.

We look forward to working with Government to deliver the right homes in the right places for the benefit of our communities and drive long-term economic prosperity so that everyone in Hertfordshire can thrive.

Hertfordshire’s response:

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Chair of HGB and Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council said “Yesterday’s budget is welcome news.  As an economic powerhouse, Hertfordshire is critical to the Government’s plan to power up Britain. Film and creative industries, pharmaceutical manufacturing and life sciences are local sectoral strengths, with 70,000 businesses and clusters to sustain and grow. Hertfordshire stands ready to engage with ministers and partner with government to deliver local growth to boost productivity and ensure that all communities benefit from improved living standards.”

Cllr Richard Henry, Vice Chair of HGB and Leader of Stevenage Borough Council said “I am delighted to see the much-needed cash injection to top up the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme. Across the county, we are building the right homes in the right places with the highest number of new homes built since 2001 and a planning application approval rate of 84%. In Stevenage we are delivering thousands of new quality, affordable and social homes and this will further help to support our ambitions.”

Mayor Peter Taylor, Vice Chair of HGB and Elected Mayor of Watford said “A key priority in yesterday’s budget is to secure the growth of our key sectors – many of which we have here in Hertfordshire. I’m pleased to hear Government will continue to support Levelling Up Funds. Our town centres and smaller businesses are essential to our local economies and must continue to thrive so that no community is left behind.”