The council officer’s report published today (Wednesday, 15 February) recommends the Gilston Villages application for approval. It includes provision for 29,000m² of employment space, significant areas of green open space – including community and country parks and buffer zones between villages – six primary schools, two secondary schools, healthcare facilities and a leisure centre.
The committee meeting will start at the earlier time of 11am in the Council Chamber at Wallfields in Hertford. Due to the application’s significance, the council has extended the usual time allocated for speakers to a combined total of 24 minutes – 12 minutes for those speaking in favour of the application and 12 minutes for those speaking against – to be shared by all who register online. The meeting will also be live streamed on the council’s YouTube channel.
Consideration of this application, which comprises six of the seven new villages planned for the Gilston area as part of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, follows the granting of planning permission for supporting transport infrastructure in March last year. A further application, for the seventh village and in the name of Taylor Wimpey, remains to be determined.
Councillor Bob Deering, Chairman of DMC, said: “The Gilston Villages application is the largest planning proposal this council has ever considered, with wide-reaching consequences for our district and communities for many years to come. That is why we have allowed extra time for residents to have their say during the meeting, which will also start earlier in the day so that Members can debate and understand all aspects of this complex application thoroughly.”
For more details on how to register to speak, contact: democratic.services@eastherts.gov.uk
