§ 148. Viscountess Davidsonasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why he has made a draft order designating Hemel Hempstead as an area for a new industrial town of 60,000 inhabitants when his adviser, Sir Patrick Abercrombie, has pointed out that the area is unsuitable for such a purpose and that Hemel Hempstead ought not to be further industrialised; whether, before making such a draft order, he consulted the local authorities interested in the matter; and, if so, when.
§ Mr. SilkinSince the publication of the Greater London Plan, Sir Patrick Abercrombie's proposals have received careful study both by Government Departments and by the local authorities, who reported on them through the Advisory Committee on London Regional Planning. Both the Departments and the authorities have recommended the expansion of Hemel Hempstead in substitution for the new town proposed in the plan, which would in fact have been located partly within the borough boundary. It was considered that a new town on the site proposed would be too close to the three towns of Hemel Hempstead, St. Albans and Harpenden. I am advised that further limited industrial expansion of Hemel Hempstead is desirable to effect a proper balance of employment and that further investigation shows that the provision of sites for this purpose does not present a major difficulty. Professor Abercrombie has informed me that, in view of the further inquiries which have been carried out, he agrees with the departure from his Report as regards Hemel Hempstead. I have consulted the planning authorities from time to time and held a meeting of all the local authorities affected on 16th July.