A 3,000-home expansion of Baldock has been hailed as “the largest development project” in North Herts “for many decades”. Daniel Allen, the Labour leader of North Herts Council, made the comments as the ‘Growing Baldock’ masterplan for the scheme was agreed at a meeting on Monday (16 June).
The masterplan outlines further details for the project which will see 3,000 homes added to Baldock’s existing 4,500 properties. As well as homes, the plan includes a “preferred” option for The Knights Templar School to be relocated to a new site within the development, with the school continuing to serve all of Baldock.
Other options – including the existing school expanding on its existing school, or Knights Templar co-existing with a new secondary school – have not yet been ruled out. The land, owned by Hertfordshire County Council, is also set to include two new primary schools, a new SEND school, and a ‘health hub’ with GP services.
The scheme is made up of several sites that have been allocated for development in the North Herts Local Plan – the blueprint for building in the district. Development will be concentrated in the north east of Baldock, mostly to the east of North Road and to the north of the railway line.
There will be a “flexible” employment area aimed at bringing new jobs to the area, a “small local centre” to complement Baldock’s existing High Street, and a ‘greenway’ making up a loop around Baldock. While planners hope that more than half of new journeys in the new development will be made by foot, bicycle or public transport, the development will bring road changes too – including a new road linking NOrth Road with the A505.
The masterplan has been drawn up by Urban&Civic and their project director, Paul Munford, told councillors: “We’re not talking here about an additional piece of housing, like an estate, on the edge of a town, we’re talking about growing the whole town of Baldock”.
Cllr Allen said: “Growing Baldock will be the largest development project in the district for many decades and it is key to us delivering on our council priority of responsible growth, both by implementing our adopted Local Plan and, in doing so, seeking to protect other areas of the district from unwelcome applications for development.
“Growing Baldock is a positive step that strongly reflects the Labour party ideals of inclusive growth and tackling the housing crisis. It provides much needed, high quality and affordable homes for local working families, young people and key workers, helping ensure that everyone has a secure place to live.
“Crucially, the development also includes a new employment area, creating local jobs and boosting the town’s economy. This supports Labour’s focus on good work, local opportunity and reducing regional inequalities.
“By building both homes and jobs, this project strengthens Baldock’s community, improves local services and delivers growth that works for everyone, not just the few.”
The masterplan did not meet with universal approval, however. One of the two councillors to vote against it was Emma Rowe, independent councillor for Baldock West.
She said uncertainty over the secondary school was a “real stumbling block”, and continued: “Knights Templar School does a fantastic job but it’s already running at capacity and is well overdue a substantial refurb.
“The idea that we can absorb thousands of new residents without serious, tangible investment in secondary education, identified now, is just not realistic. It is my belief that if the school cannot be delivered, then the plan is not ready.
“Until there is a firm, costed, deliverable commitment to one secondary school provision, … we really need to proceed with caution.”
Cllr Rowe’s Baldock West colleague, Alistair Willoughby (Lab), voted in favour of the masterplan.
He said: “Rejecting the masterplan could leave Baldock in a situation where development progresses without clear oversight, making it harder to demand the commitments the town requires. A fragmented approach could weaken the ability to scrutinise decisions, putting Baldock at greater risk.”
Cllr Willoughby said he will be “working hard to drive forward the preferred option” for the secondary school, and insisted other options would be “inadequate and harmful to th community”.
Rhona Cameron (Lab), who represents Baldock East, raised concerns about the affordability of the planned new homes. She said she is “in favour of building more houses” but added that the council should “argue for a higher percentage of good quality, social rented housing … as well as genuinely affordable new homes”.
Under the current plans, forty per cent of the development would be classed as affordable, according to the government definition. Stewart Willoughby, who is also a Labour representative for Baldock East, said: “While I acknowledge concerns have been expressed about this masterplan, I do believe it provides the necessary framework for holding decisionmakers accountable and ensuring that Baldock secures the infrastructure it needs.
“This development will bring new residents to Baldock, and we have a responsibility to welcome them into our community. Growth must not divide us – it must enhance what makes Baldock strong.
The leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat group, Ruth Brown, praised Urban&Civic for their work, which has included multiple public consultations.
She said: “They’ve worked really hard to make this feel like Baldock … and not just an add-on.”
Cllr Brown added that she hoped there would be funding for the option of a single secondary school for Baldock on the new site.
Further details of the developments within the Growing Baldock scheme will be confirmed through later planning applications. The masterplan was approved by 27 votes to 2, with five abstentions.
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