St Albans City and District Council is currently undertaking a Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA). This is a cross-boundary study based on government guidance and will assist us in developing a good understanding of how our housing markets operate. St Albans Council are using consultants ORS, in partnership with local authorities, Dacorum, Hertsmere, Three Rivers, Watford, and Welwyn Hatfield council as well as Herts County Council. This assessment looks at the need and demand for housing across all tenures in all of the districts and will seek to identify housing markets within the partnership area. SHMA's do not in themselves make policy, but they are a very important part of the evidence base. They will, for instance, inform strategic land availability studies, Local Development Frameworks and the development of regional and sub-regional housing policy.

The assessment was launched at the beginning of February 2008 and the draft report consultation period will run from 21st April to 9th May 2008.

If you have any questions, or would like to make any contributions to the consultation process, please contact Linda Middleton, Strategy and Enabling Manager (01727) 819401, email: l.middleton@stalbans.gov.uk, David Reavill, Development Officer (01727) 819382, email: d.reavill@stalbans.gov.uk or John Chapman, Planning Policy Manager (01727) 819350, email: j.chapman@stalbans.gov.uk