People who engaged with the latest phase of a local plan have been thanked by Hertsmere Borough Council after thousands commented on the proposals.

More than 1,200 people attended exhibitions across Hertsmere in November, while more than 2,000 people responded to an online consultation portal or in writing to the engagement on potential housing and employment sites.

These comments will feed into the next stage, the publication of the draft local plan, next Spring and once this has been completed and comments considered, the plan will then be submitted to a planning inspector for approval.

Councillor Dr Harvey Cohen, responsible for planning, said: “We are really grateful for the comments we have received from the public and to achieve this level of engagement is fantastic.

“All the responses will help us to plan for development on the most appropriate sites in the borough, which will be included in the draft local plan.

“Residents who have not already contributed will still have the chance to add their thoughts during a further formal consultation period following the publication of the draft plan and we will be asking for further comments at that time.”

Many people also expressed their views through the council’s social media channels, with 3,700 people engaging with posts on Facebook, while 230 people liked, shared, commented or clicked on links on the local plan on Twitter.

Once finalised and adopted in 2021, the plan will outline where development should take place in the borough over the next 15 years.

Central government requires all councils to prepare a local plan, which sets out how numbers of homes and jobs will be boosted in each local authority area.

The government is currently reviewing its forecast on how many homes will be needed here in Hertsmere, but it is expected that land for at least 500 new homes each year will be needed for the next 15 or more years.

Land will also be needed to provide new jobs, leisure space, community facilities and other infrastructure.