Almost 1,000 homes could be built in Royston after planning leaders and councillors revealed their blueprint for North Hertfordshire’s housing plan.

Draft housing allocations for North Hertfordshire’s District Council’s Local Plan were unveiled on Thursday, October 16, which cover the district’s need for 12,100 homes over the period up until 2031.

Eight housing sites are allocated in Royston, with an estimated additional 973 homes set to be built by 2031.

These include plans for a 330-property development on land off Newmarket Road in Royston and a housing development of about 300 homes on land west of Ivy Farm on Baldock Road.

There have been 428 homes that have already been completed since 2011, or given planning permission since April of this year, including 84 small site allowances.

Councillor David Levett, responsible for planning and enterprise at NHDC said: “We need new homes in North Hertfordshire to meet the needs of our growing population, to ensure the district’s economic prosperity and that our families have somewhere to live.

“However those homes must be sustainable, viable, and deliverable and also ensure that the unique nature of North Hertfordshire, which makes it one of the best places to live in the country, is protected.

“We have given careful consideration to the proposed sites and want to reassure people that all sites will be suitably planned with the accompanying infrastructure and local amenities necessary to create thriving communities, particularly in the case of the major sites which will each require a masterplan to ensure these are delivered.

“Following the meeting of Full Council on 27 November, we will be seeking the views of the public on the draft Local Plan – Preferred Options, and we would encourage everyone to have their say.”

A consultation, which will open on December 5 and close on January 30, will be used to prepare the final version of the draft Local Plan to be put forward, following a further consultation, for examination by the Planning Inspectorate.