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CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Spatial Portrait of Three Rivers
2.1 The spatial portrait sets the context on which the Local Development
Framework is based. It illustrates Three Rivers' main attributes in
terms of geography, economy, environment, social and cultural characteristics
and patterns of movement. More background and detail, including on specific
settlements, is set out in the evidence base document 'Spatial Portrait
of Three Rivers'1.
2.2 Three Rivers is a mixture of beautiful countryside, villages and
small towns, and the majority of inhabitants are well educated, affluent,
articulate and able to access public services. Nevertheless, there are
a number of specific issues highlighted through the Spatial Portrait
that need to be addressed in future. These are:
- House prices in Three Rivers are very high and affordability has
been worsening. Alongside the need to provide more housing to meet
forecast housing growth, there is therefore a particular need to achieve
more affordable housing and to provide more family sized affordable
housing
- There will be a challenge to maintaining the extent of the green
belt while providing for local development needs and meeting regional
targets
- There is a high dependency on the car, particularly in rural parts
of the District. There is therefore a need to enable and promote more
sustainable modes of transport to improve travel options, increase
access to services and reduce the environmental impacts of travel
- There is a need for increased business investment in the area to
provide local employment opportunities and to try and reduce levels
of out-commuting, which are currently high, reflecting the importance
of the London job market on Three Rivers
- There is an ageing population which will lead to differing demands
on services and housing. These demands will need to be met whilst
ensuring that the District remains attractive and accessible to younger
people to support the economic development of Three Rivers
- While the District as a whole is ranked low in terms of deprivation,
there are inequalities. South Oxhey is particularly affected by income,
barriers to education, skills and training, living environment and
crime and disorder. Parts of Maple Cross and Mill End are affected
by income, barriers to housing and services and living environment.
More rural parts of the District are affected by barriers to housing
and access to services
- Existing infrastructure requires investment to cope with growth
in the District. In particular, a requirement for additional secondary
school places has been identified, and there is a need for improved
access to healthcare services in the south west of the District. Any
new development will require an appropriate level of investment in
infrastructure to ensure that new and existing communities are able
to access the services that they require
- The dispersed pattern of settlements across the District affects
the provision of shops and services and the vitality and viability
of existing centres. These need to be maintained to continue to meet
local needs and contribute to the sustainability of settlements
- It is important to continue to achieve high levels of new development
on previously developed land but, in general, the supply of previously
developed land is falling. The exception to this may be in South Oxhey
where potential for redevelopment and regeneration highlights an opportunity
to make better use of land in the area, achieving higher levels of
development on previously developed land
- Climate change may have significant impacts on Three Rivers which
will need to be responded to and it will be important to try and reduce
and mitigate these impacts as far as possible
- The attractiveness of the District as a place where people want
to live and work depends in part on the environment. This is affected
by landscape, biodiversity and open spaces (Green Infrastructure),
as well as heritage. It is very important that these are maintained
to sustain the unique character of the area and its attractiveness
- Housing stock in the District is generally of good quality and does
not present particular concerns. The exception is in South Oxhey where
some stock is now in need of significant updating
- Levels of crime in the District are low; however there is a need
to tackle fear of crime and antisocial behaviour.
2.3 The key issue for the future of Three Rivers will be making provision
for new development required in the District to meet local needs whilst
protecting the environment and maintaining or improving the quality
of life of Three Rivers' communities.
Local Policy Context
2.4 There are several strategies and plans which affect the Three Rivers
area in terms of priorities and actions, and these are set out in the
evidence base document 'Local Policy Context'2.
The Core Strategy draws on strategies and plans that have implications
for the development and use of land and, where appropriate, it provides
an integrated approach to the implementation and delivery of these aspects
of other strategies.
2.5 It is particularly important that the Core Strategy relates to
the Sustainable Community Strategy for Three Rivers which sets out the
local community's aspirations so that these can be delivered in an effective
and joined-up way.
2.6 The Community Strategy for Three Rivers (2006-2012)
has been prepared by the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) to improve
quality of life in the District. The Local Strategic Partnership consists
of the following organisations:
- Three Rivers District Council
- Hertfordshire County Council
- Hertfordshire Police Authority
- Hertfordshire Constabulary
- Centre for Voluntary Services
- Citizen's Advice Bureau
- Three Rivers Parish Councils
- West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust
- Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
- Wenta.
2.7 The five priorities of the Strategy are to address the following
concerns:
- Anti-social behaviour, crime, and the fear of crime
- Reducing inequalities (including access to services)
- Improving the environment
- Children's and young people's access to education, skills and training
- Improving the supply and standard of affordable housing.
2.8 These broadly correspond to the priorities set out in the Sustainable
Community Strategy (SCS) for Hertfordshire (Hertfordshire 2021- A Brighter
Future).
2.9 It is important that the Sustainable Community Strategy is closely
linked with the Local Development Framework so that an integrated approach
to community planning can be achieved. The Local Development Framework
is the key mechanism for delivering on the ground what the community
has said it needs in the Sustainable Community Strategy. Figure 2 details
how the Core Strategy can contribute to the Sustainable Community Strategy
priorities.
Community Strategy
Priority |
Delivery through the Core Strategy |
Relevant Core Strategy Policies
and Objectives |
Priority 1:
Anti-social behaviour, crime and fear of crime |
- Promote safety and security as a high priority in the design
of new development in order to create attractive and safe places
in which to live work and play.
|
|
|
Priority 2:
Reducing Inequalities (including Access to services) |
- Facilitate the provision of services, shops and infrastructure
to meet the needs of existing development and new development
- Deliver improved and more integrated transport systems and
reduce the need to travel by locating development in accessible
locations.
|
- CP1
- CP5
- CP6
- CP7
- CP8
- CP10
- CP12
|
|
Priority 3:
Improving the environment |
- Reduce the impact on the environment by reducing waste, pollution
and energy consumption
- Make efficient use of previously developed land and to protect
the Green Belt and open countryside
- Protect and enhance the historic environment
- Conserve and enhance the countryside and the diversity of
wildlife and habitats.
|
- CP1
- CP2
- CP3
- CP9
- CP10
- CP11
- CP12
|
|
| Priority 4: Children's and young
people's access to education, skills and training |
- Facilitate the provision of education services, sport, recreation
and open space facilities
- Retain and improve the range of local employment opportunities
in the District.
|
|
|
| Priority 5: Improving supply and
standard of affordable housing |
- Seek a greater proportion of new housing development to be
locally affordable in both the urban and rural areas of the
District.
|
|
|
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