THE Hunsdon, Eastwick and Gilston Neighbourhood Plan Group (HEGNPG) has pledged to continue working to represent all residents after East Herts Council confirmed the grant of planning permissions for 10,000 homes and infrastructure.

These outline planning permissions for 8,500 homes for Places for People across six villages and 1,500 homes for Taylor Wimpey in a seventh village follow the earlier granting of permission for major transport infrastructure known as Central and Eastern Stort Crossing.

Anthony Bickmore, Chair of the HEGNPG, said:

“The Planning Permissions for the Gilston Area development of 10,000 homes over the next 20 years represents a major challenge for the Hunsdon, Eastwick and Gilston Communities.

“The Hunsdon, Eastwick, and Gilston Neighbourhood Plan Group has played a crucial role in trying to shape the development to ensure it aligns with community values including sustainable development principles.

“HEGNPG developed with the Community an Award winning Neighbourhood Plan (GANP) which was adopted following a massive vote by the community to support it. The Group continues to speak for both Parish Councils and engage with the developers, Places for People and Taylor Wimpey, and East Herts Council who have formally granted the Planning Consents after six years of public consultations with us and others.

“There is much more we would have liked to have seen but our primary goals now are to advocate for high standards of urban design, proper and timely infrastructure, environmental responsibility and community-focused development while managing the impacts of this massive project on residents over many decades.”

He added: “The HEGNPG will continue to be involved in reviewing further planning applications and master plans for the proposed villages, of which there will be many. The group will work to ensure these applications and plans meet the standards outlined in the GANP.

“The group’s focus spans multiple areas, such as safeguarding green space and community land, ensuring biodiversity, implementing sustainable transport solutions, and promoting ‘village master planning’ principles and creating balanced communities with affordable housing. These principles dictate that each village within the development retains distinct, community-oriented features.

“Additionally, we intend to actively monitor the agreements related to infrastructure, affordable housing and the long-term governance of community assets. This is a watershed moment and we have to accept that the development is going to happen but the HEGNPG’s role is to act as a voice for residents, holding developers accountable to promises of sustainable, high-quality development that respects both local heritage and environmental goals.

“Through this active role, we aim to keep the development aligned with the community’s vision and ensure it remains adaptable to future needs. If done well the old and the new communities will be able to thrive together. This is now what the local Parish Councils and their residents want to see achieved.”