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Planning in Hertfordshire – updated July 2026
Hertfordshire County Council is currently responsible for planning for waste, minerals (primarily sand and gravel extraction) and for services it provides, including schools, libraries and highways.
The Government has now confirmed that Hertfordshire will be reorganised into four unitary authorities, replacing the current two-tier system of Hertfordshire County Council and the ten district and borough councils. The new authorities are expected to come into effect in April 2028, subject to the necessary legislation. More information about Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire can be found at www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk.
Until the new arrangements are implemented, the existing district and borough councils remain responsible for preparing their own Local Plans and determining planning applications.
Current Local Plans in Hertfordshire include:
Broxbourne Borough Council
The Broxbourne Local Plan 2018-2033 was adopted in June 2020 and is available here.
In September 2025, the Council agreed to progress with a new Local Plan for the Borough. The Council carried out a Call for Sites, which concluded in January 2026. The timetable for preparing the Local Plan will now be determined in accordance with the Government’s revised plan-making system and associated national planning reforms.
Dacorum Borough Council
The Local Plan 1991-2011 was adopted in 2004 and should be read alongside the adopted Core Strategy and the Site Allocations DPD. The Core Strategy (adopted 2013) does not replace all of the policies contained within the Local Plan 1991-2011. Many of the policies within the Local Plan have been ‘saved’ and will continue to inform planning policy until they are formally superseded or cancelled.
A new Local Plan is currently at an advanced stage of Examination. Following the conclusion of the Stage 3 hearing sessions in March 2026, the Council has continued to submit additional evidence and responses to consultation comments requested by the Inspectors, with the Examination remaining ongoing. Updates are available via the Lets Talk Dacorum website.
East Herts Council
The East Herts District Plan was adopted in October 2018. Further details can be found here.
The Council has commenced preparation of a new Local Plan under the Government’s revised plan-making system. Prior to formal commencement, the Council undertook preparatory work including agreeing a revised Local Development Scheme, carrying out a Call for Sites and developing a Strategic Vision to guide the new Local Plan. Following publication of its Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Preparation in June 2026, the Council has completed the first Scoping Consultation and is reviewing the responses received alongside progressing the evidence base. The next stage of consultation, on the emerging Plan Content and Evidence, is scheduled for February–April 2027. Further details are set out on the Councils website.
Hertsmere Borough Council
The Hertsmere Local Plan (2012-2027) is made up of four parts:
- Core Strategy adopted January 2013.
- Elstree Way Corridor Area Action Plan adopted July 2015;
- Site Allocations and Development Management (SADM) Policies Plan adopted November 2016;
- Policies Map.
More information about these documents can be found here.
The Council is progressing its new Local Plan following the earlier draft being set aside. A Regulation 18 consultation on the emerging Local Plan was undertaken between April and May 2026. The Council is currently reviewing the consultation responses and preparing the Regulation 19 Local Plan for publication later in 2026, with submission for examination intended by the end of the year.
North Hertfordshire District Council
The North Hertfordshire Local Plan 2011-2031 was adopted in November 2022 and replaces the saved policies of the District Plan Second Review with Alterations.
The Development Plan for North Hertfordshire consists of:
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- The Local Plan
- Neighbourhood Plans for the following areas:
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- The adopted Minerals Local Plan and Waste Local Plan for Hertfordshire
Where there is conflict between policies in different parts of the Development Plan, the most recent policy takes precedence.
The Council has commenced preparation of a new Local Plan under the Government’s revised plan-making system. Following the Expressions of Interest exercise in 2025, the Council has progressed its Call for Sites process and completed an initial Scoping Consultation. The Council is now undertaking detailed site assessments and progressing the evidence base, with consultation on the Plan Content and Evidence scheduled for October–November 2026 and consultation on the Proposed Local Plan expected in late 2027 ahead of submission for examination in 2028.
St Albans City and District Council
The current adopted Local Plan is the District Local Plan Review 1994, which is being replaced by a new Local Plan.
The emerging Local Plan is at the final stage of independent examination. Following consultation on the Inspectors’ proposed Main Modifications between April and May 2026, the Council has submitted the consultation responses to the Inspectors and is awaiting their final report. Subject to the Inspectors finding the Plan sound, it can then proceed to adoption.
In accordance with the Government’s new plan-making requirements, the Council has also commenced preparation of its next Local Plan. A Call for Sites is running until 18 September 2026, inviting landowners, developers and other interested parties to promote land for housing, employment, renewable energy, biodiversity enhancement and other uses. This new plan will look beyond the emerging Local Plan and guide development over the following 15–20 years.
Stevenage Borough Council
The Stevenage Borough Local Plan (2011–2031) was originally adopted in May 2019. Following a review, the Council prepared a Partial Update to ensure key policies remain consistent with national planning policy and address matters such as climate change and sustainable development, whilst retaining the existing housing and employment requirements.
Following examination by an independent Inspector, the Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update was formally adopted on 22 July 2026 and now forms part of the Development Plan for the Borough.
Three Rivers District Council
The current Three Rivers Local Plans consists of:
- Core Strategy
- Development Management Policies Development Plan Document
- Site Allocations Development Plan Document
- Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document
The Council’s new Local Plan was delayed following Government intervention in early 2026. Although Full Council approved the final draft Plan in January 2026, the Secretary of State issued a Holding Direction in February 2026, followed by Ministerial Directions in March 2026 requiring further work before the Plan could progress. Having addressed these requirements, the Council commenced the Regulation 19 (Publication) consultation on 31 July 2026, representing the final stage of public consultation before submission of the Plan for independent examination. The consultation runs until 11 September 2026, after which the Council intends to submit the Local Plan to the Secretary of State for examination later in 2026.
Watford Borough Council
The Watford Local Plan: A Sustainable Town 2021-2038 was adopted in October 2022 and continues to provide the strategic planning framework for growth and development within the borough. The Council has subsequently adopted a number of Supplementary Planning Documents to support implementation of the Local Plan, including guidance on Affordable Housing and Co-Living. Supporting documents, including the Policies Map, are available on the Council’s website.
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
The Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan 2016 was adopted in October 2023.
The Borough Council is preparing a new Local Plan to 2043. The Draft Local Plan (Regulation 18) consultation closed in March 2026, seeking views on the emerging vision, strategic objectives, policy framework and broad locations for growth, together with supporting evidence. The Council is now considering the representations received and preparing the next stage of the Plan. A further opportunity for public consultation will be provided when the Regulation 19 (Publication) Local Plan is issued, ahead of submission for independent examination.
For further advice or to find out how your property fits into this framework for planning in Hertfordshire please contact us.
