The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This section introduces the design and heritage chapter. The district's housing stock includes many larger detached and semi-detached homes on generous plots, making it popular with families, with relatively few flats. Its character is shaped by the Metro-land developments that followed the Metropolitan line, featuring Tudor revival and Arts and Crafts styles. The plan aims to increase density and deliver more one, two and three bedroom homes while protecting this strong local identity, and to keep living standards high through minimum space standards and controls on subdividing homes.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
What the plan says
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
11 Design and Heritage
Residential Design and Layout
11.1 The district’s housing stock contains many larger than average dwellings, often
detached or semi-detached, making the district a popular choice for families. Houses
are also often on larger plots, lowering density. There are relatively few flatted/high
density developments in the district, reflective of the small size of the district’s
settlements and associated relatively lower sustainability. However, some
settlements, such as South Oxhey do have higher density development, influenced
by its location on the edge of Watford and London boroughs.
11.2 Whilst the Local Plan looks to increase density and encourage more 1, 2 and 3
bedroom dwellings, there is a balance to be struck with the existing character of the
district, which has a strong identity that should be maintained. For example, the
history of ‘Metro-land’ developments associated with the district along the route of the
Metropolitan line expansion are characterised by large plots often with detached
houses and good access to open spaces. Styles of housing can be more uniform,
with Tudor revival influences, or in the case of Moor Park, with more individualistic
Arts and Crafts influences.
11.3 Subsequently, this policy and other relevant Local Plan policies aim to strike a
balance between the future needs and historic pattern of development, secure an
adequate supply of housing of a mix of sizes, types and tenures to meet needs in the
district, while ensuring living standards are not compromised, for example, through
minimum space standards and restricting the subdivision of dwellings. Furthermore,
it is essential that all housing, including residential extensions, are of high quality and
that they remain suitable and adaptable living accommodation to m