Public consultation opens on additional information for Birchall Garden Suburb planning application

The new round of consultation follows the submission of additional information by the applicant.

The outline planning application (reference 6/2022/1395/OUTLINE) relates to land southeast of Welwyn Garden City, north of the A414 and straddling Birchall/Cole Green Lane. The proposal seeks outline planning permission for a new mixed-use community including up to 2,650 homes, schools, local centres, open space, community facilities and associated infrastructure.

Birchall Garden Suburb is a strategic development site allocated in both the adopted Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan (2023) and the East Herts District Plan (2018). As the site extends across the administrative boundaries of both authorities, the application has been submitted jointly to both Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and East Herts Council.  

The planning application has been under consideration for several years, during which additional technical information and supporting documentation have been submitted by the applicant. Having reviewed the material, the councils have decided to carry out a further public consultation to give residents, stakeholders and other interested parties an opportunity to consider the new information and submit comments.

Letters will be sent to residents in the immediate area to notify them of the consultation and explain how representations can be made. The additional information and supporting documents are available to view through the councils' planning portals under application reference 6/2022/1395/OUTLINE.

The consultation is separate from the ongoing Regulation 19 consultation on the emerging Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan, which runs until 5 November 2026. The emerging Local Plan proposes additional development at Birchall Garden Suburb. However, it should be noted that the planning application currently under consideration seeks permission for a total number of homes greater than that proposed through the emerging Local Plan. The planning application and the Local Plan consultation are separate processes and will be considered independently through their respective decision-making procedures.

All comments received during the consultation period will be taken into account as part of the ongoing assessment of the planning application before it is brought forward for determination.

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

“This consultation provides an opportunity for residents, businesses and other interested parties to review the additional information that has been submitted in support of the Birchall Garden Suburb planning application and to make their views known.

 

“We would encourage anyone with an interest in the proposal to take the time to review the documents and submit comments. All representations received during the consultation period will be considered as part of the ongoing assessment of the application.”