Agenda item

To consider any questions submitted by Members of the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11 (b).

In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11, three questions had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.

(A)  Council Street Naming Policy for new developments

Councillor Joe Graziano to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place)

(B)  Expansion of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place)

(C)  Impact on local water courses from London Luton Airport

Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place)

Audio recording – 16 minutes 38 seconds

In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11, three questions had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.

(A)  Council Street Naming Policy for new developments

Councillor Joe Graziano to Donna Wright, Executive Member for Place:

‘Please outline the Street Naming Policy of the Council for new developments within the district?’

Councillor Donna Wright provided the response, as follows:

‘The Councils approach to street naming and numbering is set out on the Council website, and our Officers have followed the same process for many years.

The applicant is asked to complete an online application and suggest potential road names; these suggestions are reviewed to make sure they are appropriate using published criteria. This includes making sure the suggested name will not cause confusion with existing road names in the area. Local Councillors in relevant town or parish Councils are consulted where there is agreement, or no objection and Officers confirm the name. Relevant bodies such as Royal mail, utilities and County Council advised. Where agreement cannot be reached within the consideration period, the matter can be referred to the relevant Committee Forum.’

Councillor Joe Graziano asked a supplementary question, as follows:

‘Where several residents who live in an area have a right to complain or object to road naming because it is not in the community interest or they have not been listened to what is the process if any? Is it time we have an updated policy based on discretion not based on outdated statute dating back to 1847?’

Councillor Donna Wright provided the response, as follows:

‘The Council has no particular powers or process to rescind or change the name of a street once it has been agreed. The developer can be advised to pursue the matter further if they wish and if they voluntarily approach the council to review the name, to which they previously agreed then a new consultation can take place.’

(B)  Expansion of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Donna Wright, Executive Member for Place:

‘To ask the Executive Member for Place what assessment has been made as to the benefits of expanding the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty across areas of North Hertfordshire?’

Councillor Donna Wright provided the response, as follows:

‘For clarification areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are referred to as National Landscapes in national policy and legislation, I guess as outstanding and beauty are subjective terms. Natural England were leading a project to consider changes to the boundaries to the Chiltern National Landscape but they announced this review had been cancelled in May 2025. This was reported to all Councillors through the Members Information Service in May and Cabinet in June.

In terms of the assessment of the benefits of expanding the boundaries, when the project was cancelled, Natural England advised they were hoping to share the evidence base which had been collated in due course, to inform other projects. We are waiting for this information to be shared to see if or how that evidence might support appropriate council policies or designations in our local plan review.’

Councillor Ralph Muncer asked a supplementary question, as follows:

‘The planning reforms bought in by the government have made speculative development in North Hertfordshire more likely, as seen by recent applications in Codicote, St Ippolyts and Ickleford and the expansion of areas of Outstanding National Beauty into areas of North Hertfordshire would have given those areas in North Hertfordshire greater and much needed protection against inappropriate development. Therefore will she take the opportunity tonight to condemn the decision of the Government to withdraw the funding and pause this crucial project, and will she commit to writing to the secretary of state for the department for the environment, food and rural affairs to encourage the Government to unlock this funding and ensure that this project can go ahead as planned under the previous Conservative Government.’

Councillor Donna Wright provided the response, as follows:

‘We share the disappointment that this project was cancelled. Let’s be clear, Natural England was left with impossible choices because of the funding short fall inherited from the last Government. It is a shame that under their watch this proposal did not progress far enough to secure priority for completion. The good news is that our local MP Alistar Stratham is actively engaging with Natural England to push for environmental investment in our area and as a Council we are not standing still. We are looking at how the data gathered can inform on our next local plan with public consultation starting next year.’

(C)  Impact on local water courses from London Luton Airport

Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Donna Wright, Executive Member for Place:

‘To ask the Executive Member for Environment what assessment has been made as to the impact of London Luton Airport on local water courses in North Hertfordshire, including our rare and internationally important chalk streams?’

Councillor Donna Wright provided the response, as follows:

‘The development consent order for Luton Airport expansion was granted by the Secretary of State in April 2025 following an extensive examination which explored many issues including the potential impact on the chalk aquifer and chalk streams. A study on the possible effects on the water environment was completed and all evidence, and recommendations and the Secretary of States decisions are available to view on planning expectorates website.’

Councillor Ralph Muncer asked a supplementary question, as follows:

‘An unpublished environment agency report has highlighted alarmingly high levels of toxic chemicals in and around water courses near major airports, with the highest PFAS levels being recorded at London Luton Airport, in light of this what steps have been taken by the Council to hold the Airport accountable and ensure that our local water courses are unpolluted and clean.’

Councillor Donna Wright provided the response, as follows:

‘Our Council plan recognises the importance of districts chalk streams this includes the Rivers Hiz and Mim which are closest to the area effected by the development area for the airport expansion. Our sustainability priorities says we will support efforts to protect our chalk streams. The DCO is subject to judicial review and we are waiting the outcomes of these proceedings. The Impact of the chalk streams has been rigorously assessed and as a council we are committed to safeguarding these vital habitats and we will act based on the legal outcome.’