An extraordinary meeting of Full Council on Wednesday 7 October saw councillors agree to publish the new draft of the Local Plan. This document outlines how Hertsmere will develop in the coming years, specifying locations for new homes and jobs, the necessary infrastructure and community facilities to support growth, and the planning policies that will guide future development.
This phase, known as Regulation 19, involves the formal publication of the plan proposed for independent examination. During this period, residents, organisations, and other interested parties can submit representations regarding the legal compliance and soundness of the proposed submission Local Plan. The draft has been shaped by significant feedback, including over 6,000 responses from the Regulation 18 consultation earlier this year. Following this feedback, several sites in Borehamwood, Potters Bar, Bushey, and Radlett have been removed from the final draft.
The Regulation 19 stage will commence on Thursday 8 October and conclude on Thursday 19 November 2026. After this period, the Local Plan will be presented back to Full Council for further consideration of the responses before a decision is made on its submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination.
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, stated, “This is an important milestone for Hertsmere and for the thousands of local residents who have helped shape the Plan. We need to provide new homes and the infrastructure to support them if we are to tackle the housing crisis which is holding back far too many people's life chances and aspirations. Having an up-to-date Local Plan gives us much more control over where development should go, securing the infrastructure communities need and protecting the places that matter most.”
Cllr Nik Oakley, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Infrastructure and Transport, added, “I want to thank every single person who has contributed to the Local Plan process. The feedback we received has helped shape the plan now being put forward. Decisions about new development inevitably involve difficult choices. Our approach is regeneration of our town centres using brownfield sites and making the best possible use of that land while protecting the Green Belt sites of greatest value. Regulation 19 is now the opportunity for people to consider the published Local Plan and make representations on whether it is legally compliant and sound before it moves on to independent examination by Government inspectors.”
