Agenda item

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth said that the forest was a designated site of specific scientific interest and a national nature reserve, which gave local people unique access, being in easy reach of East Herts residents. She said that alongside Uttlesford, Harlow and Epping Forest Councils, East Herts had been working in partnership with Natural England and the National Trust to agree how to mitigate the detrimental impact of increasing visitor numbers.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth said that over the last decade the forest had experienced a doubling of visitor numbers which was unsustainable, with features being degraded and damaged. She said that the report outlined the new arrangements for the collection of a tariff to be applied to residential development in the ‘zone of influence’ – which concerned the eastern part of East Herts as shown in Appendix D.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth said that the Gilston area – GA1 of the district plan, would be excluded from the tariff due to the extensive green infrastructure within the development. She said that tariffs would be collected immediately following the passing of the report.

Councillor Glover-Ward proposed that the recommendations in the report be supported. Councillor Horner seconded the proposal and reserved his right to speak.

Councillor Devonshire said that he was conflicted on the matter, as the National Trust had other income streams. He said that the additional costs on developers would be passed onto house buyers, but conceded that residents did enjoy the area, with the tariff only £540.

Councillor Estop said that she had reservations regarding the proposal, and that she would abstain from the vote. She said that the report and the context was entirely the information about Hatfield Forest and the National Trust’s own mitigation report, with the important schedule of mitigation which the planning service use in terms of development missing.

Councillor Estop said that the recommendation should include that the Director of Place maintains discretion in relation to other aspects of planning applications. She said that in relation to Gilston being exempt, this was a huge area of people who could go to the forest, and that the tariff was a flat rate, regardless of dwelling size.

Councillor Parsad-Wyatt said that it was fantastic to have the forest on the doorstep. He asked for clarification on the levy, i.e. if this was calculated the same across the entire zone of influence, or if it was proportional to usage.

Councillor Jacobs asked if the tariff was index linked or if it would be increased over time.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth said that in relation to Gilston, there was so much green space on its doorstep that there would be no need for residents to drive to the forest. She said that she would ask Officers to give a detailed technical answer with regards to the levy and confirmed that there would be regular reviews on the zone of influence tariffs.

Councillor E Buckmaster asked if the tariffs were equal or proportionate – citing Uttlesford’s levy of £1300.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth said that the tariffs were proportionate to the level of development in each district.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the final version of the National Trust Hatfield Forest Mitigation Strategy (version 6, attached at Appendix A), which includes the Site Access Management and Monitoring Measures (SAMMS), is approved as a basis for seeking a financial contribution for mitigation at Hatfield Forest;

(B)       The apportionment of the SAMMS between the four LPAs via a hybrid method, taking equal account of both the percentage visitor impact and the proportion of new housing relative to existing within the ZoI, is approved;

(C)       The apportioned SAMMS tariff for East Herts District Council is set at £540.07;

(D)      The tariff is applicable to new residential dwellings with immediate effect, subject to transitional arrangements to agree appropriate legal, financial and administrative mechanisms being brought into place to allow the collection and transfer of funds.

(E)        The draft Governance Agreement (Appendix B) between the four local planning authorities and the National Trust as landowners is approved and delegated authority is given to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to work on the final version with an expectation that this is signed and sealed in Autumn 2025.