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Planning in Hertfordshire – updated July 2026
Hertfordshire County Council are responsible for planning for waste, minerals (mostly sand and gravel quarries) and for services they provide like schools, libraries and roads.
Pending the outcome of the current reorganisation each district council is currently responsible for preparing their own local plan.
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policies within the Local Plan have been ‘saved’ and will continue to inform planning policy until they are formally superseded or cancelled.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. This is being replaced by a new Local Plan.
The 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 for consideration. The Plan now awaits the Inspectors’ final report, which will determine whether it can proceed to adoption, subject to any recommended modifications. Updates are available on the Council’s examination webpages.
Stevenage Borough Council
The Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2011-2031 was adopted in May 2019 and sets out how Stevenage will develop in the future. It seeks to provide around 7,600 new homes, alongside new jobs and community facilities. Further information and access to the adopted documents can be found here.
The Local Plan Partial Update has reached the final stage of the examination process. Following submission in August 2025 and hearing sessions in December 2025, the Inspector concluded that the Partial Update was sound subject to Main Modifications. Consultation on the proposed Main Modifications was undertaken between February and March 2026, after which the Inspector’s final report was issued. In June 2026, Cabinet resolved to recommend adoption of the Partial Update to Full Council, with formal adoption scheduled to be considered on 22 July 2026.
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 has been delayed following Government intervention. Although Full Council approved the final draft Plan in January 2026 with the intention of progressing to Regulation 19 consultation, the Secretary of State issued a Holding Direction in February 2026 preventing further progress pending a review of the Plan’s evidence base. In March 2026, the Minister issued nine directions requiring further work before the Plan could proceed. In response, the Council adopted a revised Local Development Scheme in June 2026 setting out an updated timetable for plan preparation. Subject to compliance with the Minister’s directions, Regulation 19 consultation is programmed to commence by 31 July 2026, followed by submission of the Plan for independent examination by 30 November 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.
