The Council adopted the Gilston Area Charter SPD on 22nd July 2020. The Charter will support the production of Masterplans and Design Codes specific to the Gilston Area.

The Charter is supported by the following documents:

The Gilston Area was allocated through Policy GA1 in the East Herts District Plan, adopted in October 2018.

The Gilston Area forms a part of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town and will provide for 10,000 homes across distinct villages, each based on Garden City Principles. More information is available on the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town website.

The role of the Charter is to support the production of Masterplans and Design Codes specific to the Gilston Area villages and the important network of greenspaces that will surround and connect them in accordance with the District Plan Policy DES1 Masterplanning. It will provide guidance on their production to ensure that the Gilston Area is planned and delivered comprehensively involving site promoters, land owners, East Herts Council, parish councils and other relevant stakeholders and informed by public participation.

The Charter supplements the policies in the District Plan and is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

A copy can also be made available on request in accessible formats such as large print, Braille, Audio, electronic format or translated into another language, please email planningpolicy@eastherts.gov.uk.