1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The local plan for Three Rivers will help plan for and manage development in the District in the next 15 years or so.

1.2 For Three Rivers, the new local plan will consist of a number of Local Development Documents (LDDs) including:

The Core Strategy document: provides the over-arching strategy and policies and the long term vision for Three Rivers.
Site Allocations document: allocates sites for housing, employment, retail, open space, education and community uses.
Development Management Policies document: sets out the policies against which planning applications will be assessed.
Gypsy and Traveller document: assesses needs and allocates sites for Gypsies and Travellers.

What is the Site Allocations Document?

1.3 The Core Strategy sets out the vision and objectives for the spatial development of the area. The Site Allocations Document will identify sites throughout the District for development up to 2026 to support the delivery of the Core Strategy and the Community Strategy. As well as allocating sites to meet Core Strategy objectives, the Site Allocations document makes minor changes to the detailed Green Belt boundary.

1.4 The role of the Site Allocations document is not to give permission to particular proposals; which must still go through the planning application process. It does, however, provide the principle that a suitable form of development can be located on a particular site. The intention is to provide the local community, the local authority and developers with some certainty about what sites will be developed in the future and for what purpose. The allocation of a site does not necessarily mean that it can be developed straight away.

1.5 Additionally, where a site is not included in the Council's Site Allocations, it would still be possible for the site to come forward through the planning application process where it will be tested in accordance with relevant local and national policies.

1.6 This document sets out the sites that the Council considers should meet needs for a range of uses including housing, employment, education, shopping, leisure and open spaces. It also includes a masterplan for the South Oxhey area to guide plans for the 'South Oxhey Initiative'.

1.7 More information on all sites that have been considered for allocation is set out in the Site Allocations Supporting Information Report available on our website at www.threerivers.gov.uk.

1.8 This document has been prepared taking into account:

Government legislation and national planning policy
The adopted Core Strategy for Three Rivers
Responses from earlier stages of consultation
Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment
The Three Rivers and Hertfordshire Sustainable Community Strategies
A series of research documents known as the evidence base
The plans and strategies of surrounding authorities and other bodies.

Sustainability Appraisal

1.9 Sustainable development is the key principle underpinning national planning policy and the Three Rivers Core Strategy, and is critical to the delivery of many of the Council's and community's aspirations. It requires social progress which recognises the needs of everyone, effective protection of the environment, prudent use of natural resources and the maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.

1.10 As an overarching principle of the Core Strategy, sustainable development also therefore underpins the Site Allocations. The Site Allocations document has been subject to a Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment at each stage of production to assess the options and inform the plan preparation and decision making process.

Format of the Site Allocations Document

1.11 Chapter 2 provides the policy context for the Site Allocations, details of which are shown by type in chapters 3 to 9. Details of how the Site Allocations will be monitored are set out in chapter 10.

1.12 Appendix 2 shows all allocations by parish area.

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