New government regulations have significantly curtailed the Broxbourne Borough Council's ability to reject planning applications and have altered the decision-making process across the borough. In December 2024, the government increased Broxbourne’s housing target from 454 to 770 homes annually. Under current rules, planning permission is likely to be granted for most applications as the borough cannot identify sufficient suitable sites for the next five years.
Further changes include the introduction of "grey belt" land, making some Green Belt areas more accessible for development. The government can also assume control of decisions on large developments if a council's refusals are frequently overturned on appeal. Additionally, since 31 October, Broxbourne’s own planning application decision rules have been superseded by the government’s National Scheme of Delegation. Minor applications are now decided by Council Officers, while major schemes only reach the Planning and Regulatory Committee if the Committee Chair and the Council’s most senior Planning Officer deem them to raise significant planning, economic, social, or environmental issues, a process known as the ‘Gateway Test’.
These changes are already having a local impact. Major applications at Laurel Park and Goffs Lane were refused by the Planning and Regulatory Committee but subsequently overturned on appeal by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate this year. Furthermore, five more significant schemes, collectively proposing over 450 homes, are awaiting decisions in Goffs Oak.
To help residents understand these implications, the council has launched a new webpage, 'Planning Unpacked', detailing the changes and addressing frequently asked questions. Residents can access this information via a link on the council's website.
Councillor Corina Gander, Leader of Broxbourne Borough Council, and Councillor Paul Mason, Cabinet Member for Planning, will host two live Q&A sessions on Tuesday 17 November and Tuesday 1 December at 1pm. These sessions will be streamed on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, allowing residents to submit questions in advance through the council’s survey.
“"Local people should decide what happens in their community, and the Councillors they elect should be able to stand up for them. The Government has taken that away. Its higher housing targets, grey belt policy and new national rules on how applications are decided mean that the chances of development being approved are far greater. Broxbourne Council did not ask for any of this and it is wrong that these rules have been imposed. I will keep standing up for residents and pressing the Government to listen to the people of Broxbourne about developments on their doorstep."
Residents can find further details on the FAQ page and submit questions via the provided survey links.
