Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the report and highlighted the Council’s statutory duty to maintain an up-to-date Local Plan and the introduction of a new Government plan-making system, including a 30?month timetable and gateway assessments.

It was reported that this marked the initial stage, requiring publication of a Local Plan timetable and Notice of Intention. Approval was sought for both, with the timetable setting out key stages and the notice formally commencing the process and advising how stakeholders could engage.

Executive Members noted that the report should be read alongside the forthcoming scoping consultation report, outlining early engagement. It was further noted that, despite uncertainty regarding Local Government Reorganisation, work on the Local Plan would continue to ensure an up-to-date and robust planning framework remained in place.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth proposed the recommendations as detailed in the report. The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods seconded the proposal.

Members noted that the proposed timetable reflected a significant and intensive programme of work required to progress the new Local Plan and acknowledged the considerable effort already undertaken by officers in preparing the evidence base. Appreciation was expressed to officers and councillors for their ongoing work and commitment.

It was emphasised that councillors should actively engage residents and community groups to ensure wider understanding of the plan and its implications.

In response to a question, it was advised that Neighbourhood Plans would continue to form part of the development framework. However, it was noted that the Council would need to determine their future role, including whether communities would be expected to prepare or update plans going forward.

In response to concerns regarding the ‘call for sites’, it was confirmed that decisions on site selection would not be made for some time and that further evidence would be presented to the appropriate committees later in the year.

Regarding resourcing, Executive Members were informed that whilst there were recruitment challenges in parts of the planning service, the policy team responsible for the Local Plan was currently fully staffed. It was noted that the timetable had been set nationally and must be adhered to, with appropriate use of resources, reserves and government grant funding to support delivery.

The motion to support the recommendations, having been proposed and seconded, was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOVLED – that Executive recommended to Council

That (A) the East Herts Local Plan Timetable, attached at Appendix A, be approved for publication; and
 

(B)   The Notice of Intention to Commence the East Herts Local Plan, attached at Appendix B, be published on the Council’s website.

The Assistant Director (Place Shaping) presented a report that covered the statutory duty of East Hertfordshire District Council to prepare and maintain an up-to-date Local Plan to guide future development in the district.

The Local Plan was central to setting the spatial strategy for East Herts, identifying land for development and protection, and establishing planning policies to support sustainable growth, infrastructure delivery, environmental protection, and community well-being.

Members were advised that the Government had published details of a new plan?making system in November 2025 intended to deliver local plans quickly, consistently and transparently. The associated regulations for implementing this system came into force on 25 March 2026.

Members were advised that a key feature of the reforms was the introduction of a statutory 30-month timetable for preparing and adopting local plans supported by a series of defined gateway assessments to ensure that plans were properly prepared and sound.

The Assistant Director (Place Shaping) advised that the report represented the first formal step in implementing the new plan making framework for East Herts. The report initiated the required getting ready phase that must be completed before the 30-month period could commence. A local plan timetable must be published along with a notice of intention to commence local plan preparation.

The report sought the approval to publish the East Herts local plan timetable which set out the proposed stages, milestones and key decision points for preparing the new local plan. The timetable also provided transparency for Members, communities and stakeholders and established a clear programme for managing resources, evidence and consultation, which was a prerequisite for progression through Gateway One.

Members were advised that the report sought approval to publish the statutory notice of intention to commence local plan preparation. The notice formally signalled the start of the local plan process, identified the plan area and confirmed the anticipated timing of Gateway One, and explained how stakeholders could access information and engage.

The Panel was advised that national guidance required the notice to be published before, or at the same time as the first formal stage of public engagement. They heard that the report should therefore be read in conjunction with the Local Plan scoping consultation report. Both reports providing clarity on the statutory requirements and the immediate next steps in the plan making process.

Members were advised that local government reorganisation in Hertfordshire remained subject to Government decision. Councils were, however, expected to continue progressing Local Plans. It was highlighted that preparing the East Herts Local Plan would ensure an up-to-date and robust planning framework remained in place and would provide a strong evidence base to support future governance for plan making arrangements.

The report was presented for scrutiny and comment prior to consideration by the Executive and subsequently Council in accordance with the council’s constitution. The Chair thanked the Assistant Director for Place Shaping and officers for their work in reaching this stage and noted that this marked an important first step in reviewing the Local Plan.

The Panel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5