East Herts Council leads drive to make developers pay for transport and other infrastructure

East Herts Council has joined forces with other authorities in the county to take part in a pilot scheme aimed at making property developers pay more for infrastructure.

Hertfordshire as a whole must accommodate up to 100,000 new homes by 2031 against a £4.6 billion black hole in the budget to pay for the transport, schools and healthcare a booming population will require.

Its 11 county, district and borough councils have been invited by the Local Government Association and Planning Advisory Service to be involved in the trial to find more effective, efficient ways of working together to help maximise infrastructure contributions from the planning process.

Cllr Linda Haysey, leader of East Herts Council and chairman of Hertfordshire Infrastructure Planning Partnership, said: “We are delighted to be part of this pilot project with government. It will be a catalyst for enhancing our infrastructure approach and will build on the collaborative working that we are already engaging in.”

Cllr Derrick Ashley, Hertfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for growth, infrastructure, planning and the economy, said: “We could have 175,000 more people living in Hertfordshire by 2031, so we must be ready to support them by addressing infrastructure issues like new transport, schools and healthcare provision.

“It’s estimated that developers and land-owners stand to contribute less than 20% of the £6billion bill. Targeting development is a key part of raising the funds needed, and we’re exploring all options to achieve this.

“We’ll work closely with our district and borough councils on the project. It’s an important step in helping to improve the support we get for infrastructure through the planning process.

“It’s great for Hertfordshire to be leading the way, working with central government, by taking part in a national pilot project which will eventually be rolled out across the UK.”