Further Proposed Modifications to the North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011- 2031

I have one general point which is that the proposals take no cognisance of the changes in behaviour that are arising as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. I appreciate that specific plans may have to wait for the next review but the current proposals should at least recognise that changes of behaviour may result in opportunities as well as challenges. For example, there is much insistence in the proposals on the provision of retail space but it needs to be recognised that more shopping is being done online and we may actually need less retail space. The opportunity then arises to re-purpose redundant retail space to meet housing needs. Then the issue will become one of ensuring that decent housing standards are met for any shops converted to dwellings.

I have mentioned shops specifically but the same argument applies to surplus office accommodation where more work is being done from home. Again, offices could in some circumstances be converted into flats.