High street in pilot project to boost investment (From Borehamwood Times)

High street in pilot project to boost investment

3:30pm Friday 3rd July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)

BOREHAMWOOD town centre is part of a pilot scheme in which planning controls will be relaxed to encourage investment in the high street.

Hertsmere Borough Council has made a successful bid for £15,000 from the Government to set up one of the country’s first Local Development Orders (LDO).

The council will have the authority to approve proposals and skip the lengthy planning permission process for some “small-scale” developments in the high street and beyond.

Councillor Hannah David, the council’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “We are very pleased that our bid was successful and privileged to be leading the way on Local Development Orders.

“The money will go towards research and setting up the order as well as consultation with residents and businesses.”

At present, planning permission is required for changes such as a new shop or office front, or switching a building’s use from a tanning salon into a retail unit.

The council believes a relaxation of some controls could help existing businesses as well as encourage new businesses along Shenley Road and Elstree Way.

Mrs David added: “Subject to public consultation, an LDO would potentially extend permitted development rights and could therefore help bring further investment to the high street.

“Any development that could have an adverse affect on the local area will still require permission.”

Edwin Nelken, chairman of Hertsmere Chamber of Trade, said he does not know the full details of the project, but fears relaxing planning rules could have a negative effect. He said: “Any relaxation of planning controls could be detrimental to any high street if it involves relaxing of say the opening of fast food shops of which Borehamwood has more than enough.

“Although Shenley Road has had some shops closed, they have re-opened under new ownership.

“Having been to other parts of the country, Borehamwood is in a better condition in terms of the high street.”

The council has started preliminary work on the LDO and public consultation is expected to start later this year.

Glen Wooldrige, the council’s director of environment, said an LDO has the potential to encourage businesses to locate, remain and operate successfully in Borehamwood.

He said: “It is a proactive way to stimulate investment in a town centre.

“There are more and more empty shops on every high street so we put ourselves forward to pilot the scheme to help bring businesses to Borehamwood.

“An open shop is better than an empty shop, so long as it doesn’t have an adverse affect on the local environment.

“Part of our preliminary work — which the grant will help fund — is to look at what types of developments have received planning permission in the past so in the future, developments that are capable of receiving planning permission do not have to go through a formal process which can take time and put businesses off.”

Mr Wooldrige said the relaxation of planning controls would not mean any more eateries along Shenley Road, as any possible extension of permitted development rights would not include changes of use to takeaways.

He said: “The kind of things that might be permitted under an LDO could include other changes of use, some alterations including shop fronts and air conditioning units and other small-scale development.

“We would still look to have a variety of unit uses along Shenley Road with a balance of shops, eateries and other outlets.

“The introduction of an LDO — which could also cover both studio sites in the town and Elstree Way — is subject to extensive public consultation with local businesses and residents which will also be funded by the grant.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)