Hemel Garden Communities

Hyas were appointed in 2022 by Dacorum Borough Council to support the Councill in on the Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) programme – the programme includes the development of 11,000 within the green belt located within both Dacorum Borough Council and St Albans District. Hyas have provided critical friend support since then for the HGC Programme team, who are leading on the delivery, with support on the emerging Local Plans, masterplanning, delivery and communications & engagement.

Hyas have helped to develop key HGC related planning policies, which are now at Local Plan examination for both authorities. Our role has also involved liaison with both Dacorum & St Albans planning teams, supporting HGC on the delivery of key evidence base studies and related planning policy & guidance – such as masterplanning and framework plans, transport plans, delivery plans, socio-economic assessments, design coding, and infrastructure (including the HGC IDP). A further role was supporting the HGC programme alignment with the Hemel Place regeneration plans.

Hyas have supported and advised on the approach to developers, land and delivery of infrastructure, working with multiple public and private sector stakeholders, including the Crown Estate as majority landowner, and providing engagement support such as chairing the developer forum. Our role as a critical friend has involved considering appropriate solutions to enable coordinated approach to delivery of sites. Hyas are further supporting HGC on the development of a stewardship strategy through the drafting of a Stewardship and Placemaking SPD.

Key Deliverables:
• Local Plan policy development
• Drafting supplementary planning documents
• Stakeholder and developer engagement
• Framework plans
• Delivery support
• Stewardship strategy