| Date of Designation Request | Body Submitting Request | Designation Agreed | Pre-Submission Consultation (Reg 14) | Submission to East Herts (Reg 15) | 6 week Consultation (Reg 16) | Examination | Referendum | Adoption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 October 2019 | Hertford Town Council | 11 February 2020 | November - December 2021 | 8 July 2022 | 22 Sept - 4 Nov 2022 | January - March 2023 | 4 May 2023 | 26 July 2023 |
Adoption Neighbourhood Plan
The Neighbourhood Plan has been formally ‘made’ (adopted) and will be used as a part of the East Herts Development Plan. The final version of the Neighbourhood Plan and Policies Map can be viewed here: Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan. The decision statement is available here.
Referendum Result
On 4 May 2023, the Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan Referendum took place. The Neighbourhood Plan has been voted on and approved by the residents of the Neighbourhood Area. With a turnout of 32.53%, there was an overall 'yes' vote of 1,281 (92.96%), votes against 97 (7.04%). The final votes and overall election results can be found on our Local Elections 2023 Results Page.
Referendum
On 17th March 2023 a decision was made by the Council to proceed to referendum.
A referendum which poses the following question: “Do you want East Herts District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Kingsmead Neighbourhood Area to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” will be held in the ward of Kingsmead in Hertford.
On the recommendation of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Parliament have approved changes to the future electoral arrangements in East Herts. Therefore, the boundaries of Kingsmead ward will change on 4 May 2023 to include an area that was previously in Castle ward. The area covered by the Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan is the part of Kingsmead Ward that is coterminous with the ward boundaries prior to 4 May 2023. A list of streets that are included in the Kingsmead Area Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed here.
The Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan Referendum is scheduled for Thursday 4 May 2023.
The specified documents for the referendum can be viewed below:
- The Referendum Information Statement
- The Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan 2019 - 2033. Please note that the appendices can be viewed here;
- The Independent examiner’s report;
- A summary of the representations submitted to the independent examiner;
- A statement by the local planning authority that the plan meets the basic conditions and complies with the relevant legislation;
- A statement setting out general information on town and country planning including neighbourhood planning and the referendum;
Paper copies of these documents are also available for inspection at East Herts District Council, Wallfields Offices, Hertford, SG13 8EQ by appointment.
Independent Examination
Christopher Lockhart-Mummery QC has been appointed to undertake the independent examination of the Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan. Correspondence is published below. The examination has now finished and the Council will take the decision whether to progress to referendum soon. Updates about the decision will be published in due course.
Independent Examination documents and dates
| Examination Document | Date |
|---|---|
| The Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan Examination has now concluded: Final Examination Report | 3 March 2023 |
| Examiner’s response to EHC and HTC: Examiner’s response | 13 February 2023 |
| East Herts Council’s and Hertford Town Council’s response to question about views: EHC and HTC response | 13 February 2023 |
| Examiner’s Question about Important Views: Examiner’s question about views (attach pdf) | 13 February 2023 |
East Herts Council’s and Hertford Town Council’s response to initial questions: | 27 January 2023 |
| Examiner’s initial comments: Examiner’s initial note, decision to have a written examination and questions. | 24 January 2023 |
Stage - Public Consultation (Reg 16)
On the 8 July 2022 Hertford Town Council submitted the Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan to East Herts District Council under Regulation 15 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.
A consultation took place for a period of 6 weeks from 22 September 2022 – 4 November 2022.
Representations received can be viewed in Regulation 16 Consultation Document 1 and Regulation 16 Consultation Document 2.
These were forwarded to the examiner.
Stage - Pre-Submission Consultation (Reg 14)
Hertford Town Council is consulting on the Kingsmead draft Neighbourhood Plan between midnight on the 7th November 2021 and midnight on the 20th December 2021. The plan will then be submitted to East Herts Council.
For more information and to view the Regulation 14 Consultation draft please view Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan website
Neighbourhood Area Designation
The Kingsmead Neighbourhood Area, was declared a Neighbourhood Area on the 11 February 2020. The designation request and map defining the area can be viewed below:
