Planning Permission Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire

A county on the northern fringe of London, combining green belt countryside with dynamic market towns and world-class research institutions.

What is Planning Permission

Planning permission is official authorisation from your local council permitting specified construction or land-use changes. It protects the environment, local character, and neighbouring properties by ensuring all development meets planning policy requirements. Without it, you risk enforcement action that can include costly demolition of completed work.

When Do You Need Planning Permission

Planning permission is necessary for most new builds, significant extensions, and land-use changes not covered by permitted development. Restrictions are stricter in green belt, AONB, national park, and heritage settings. Submitting a pre-application enquiry before drawing up full plans can save considerable time and money later in the process.

Where Can I Get Planning Permission in Hertfordshire

Planning permission in Hertfordshire is granted by the relevant local planning authority. You can submit a full planning application through the Planning Portal at planningportal.co.uk, which routes your application to the correct council. Pre-application advice is also available directly from the local authority's planning department before you commit to a full submission.

Planning Permission in Hertfordshire

Planning permission in Hertfordshire is obtained from the relevant district or borough council. The county council administers minerals and waste planning but has no role in determining residential planning applications. Self-builders should identify the correct district authority for their site and consult that authority's planning portal for its specific requirements. St Albans City and District Council's planning pages cover the historic city of St Albans and its surrounding district. The council is operating under a Minerals and Waste Local Plan and saved policies from its 1994 District Local Plan, which is significantly out of date. The council has been preparing a new Local Plan for several years, and the uncertainty about the policy framework creates a challenging environment for applicants. In the absence of an up-to-date plan, the National Planning Policy Framework takes on greater importance in planning decision-making. Self-builders in St Albans District should take careful planning advice before committing to a site. North Hertfordshire District Council's planning pages provide access to its adopted Local Plan (2011-2031), adopted in November 2022. Policy D3 (Protecting and Enhancing the Natural Environment) and Policy D4 (Design Principles) are the primary environmental and design policies. The local plan's housing policies include provisions addressing self-build and custom housebuilding demand, and the council has worked to identify self-build plot opportunities within its allocated housing sites. Community Infrastructure Levy is charged by several Hertfordshire district councils. Rates vary reflecting significant differences in land values between districts. St Albans, Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Welwyn Hatfield tend to have higher CIL rates reflecting their proximity to London, while North Hertfordshire and East Hertfordshire have rates reflecting their more rural and lower-value markets. The self-build CIL exemption is available from all charging authorities for qualifying applicants. Green Belt policy is a critical consideration for the majority of Hertfordshire planning applications. The National Planning Policy Framework sets very high tests for development in the Green Belt, and Hertfordshire's planning authorities apply these tests rigorously. Self-builders should check the Green Belt status of any site before purchasing - the planning constraint maps available on each council's planning portal and on the government's Planning Data platform show the boundaries of the Metropolitan Green Belt across Hertfordshire. Validation requirements across Hertfordshire's district councils follow a broadly consistent model. Core requirements include a completed application form, location and site plans, a design and access statement, and the statutory fee. Additional requirements vary by site and may include a heritage impact assessment, flood risk assessment, ecological survey, contaminated land assessment and tree survey. The specific validation requirements for each district are published on their planning portals.

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