Council publishes Local Plan for final consultation

The council is developing a new Local Plan that will set out a vision for how Welwyn Hatfield will grow and develop over the coming years and ensure new homes, jobs, infrastructure, community facilities and environmental improvements are planned in a coordinated way.

A report setting out the final consultation version - the proposed Regulation 19 Local Plan - has been published today (Tuesday 25 August) and represents the culmination of extensive work undertaken by the council over several years, including consultation with residents, businesses, landowners, community organisations and statutory bodies.

The report will be considered by the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on Thursday 3 September and Cabinet on Tuesday 8 September before being presented to Full Council on Wednesday 16 September. If approved by Full Council, WHBC will launch a formal six-week consultation with residents and other stakeholders focusing on whether the proposed Local Plan is legally compliant and sound.

Residents, businesses and other interested parties can register now via the council’s Local Plan Portal to receive updates about the plan and be notified as soon as the Regulation 19 consultation opens. Registering will ensure that people receive details of how to view the consultation documents, submit representations, and follow the next stages of the examination process.

Following consultation, the council intends to submit the Local Plan for independent examination by a government-appointed planning inspector, which is expected to take place during 2027. The inspector will consider the evidence, representations received and the overall soundness of the plan before making recommendations. The council will then consider those recommendations before deciding whether to adopt the Local Plan.

Councillor Rose Grewal, Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Planning, said:

"Our Local Plan is vital to the future prosperity of Welwyn Hatfield, giving residents, businesses and investors greater certainty about how our borough will grow and develop in the years ahead. In light of the changes that local government reorganisation will bring, it is important that Welwyn Hatfield sets out its vision for how the borough should evolve and establishes a policy framework that ensures new development is directed to sustainable locations, is of high design quality, respects the character and sense of place of our neighbourhoods, and is underpinned by the necessary infrastructure requirements.

 

“Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far by responding to our previous consultations. Your feedback is an essential part of shaping a Local Plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities.

 

“I would encourage everyone to review the documents and sign up for updates so that they are ready to take part in the formal consultation when it begins.”

Councillor Sandreni Bonfante, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Climate Change, said:

“Our new Local Plan will provide greater certainty about where growth should happen and help to ensure it is delivered in a coordinated, sustainable way, supported by high-quality development standards.

 

“We are keen to hear from local residents, businesses and other stakeholders when the consultation opens. Your feedback will help us ensure the plan is ready for examination, so please take the opportunity to read the documents and sign up for updates so that you are ready to share your views.”

The Regulation 19 Local Plan documents are available to read here.