Planning and Building Control
Planning is interested in the way our towns, cities and countryside are developed. This includes the appearance of buildings and the use of land.
We aim to protect the natural (Trees) and historic (Listed Buildings) environments.
Building Control look at building works to ensure the sustainable use of fuel and water, the safety and health of people in or about those buildings.
For many works to buildings or trees, separate permissions will be required from us.
Update on our planning service - March 2025
The team have made considerable progress in reducing our backlog of applications and our current average timescales for deciding applications are continuing to improve.
Currently, on average 80% of non-major planning applications, including householder applications, are determined within the statutory determination period or an agreed extension of time.
The Statutory timescales depending on the type of application can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/determining-a-planning-application#what-are-the-time-periods-for-determining-a-planning-application
The Council takes performance very seriously and is in the process of committing significant resources with a view to continue improving our performance.
If you have a professional agent submitting the application on your behalf, all dialogue with case officers takes place through them. Please ask your agent for an update if your case has been allocated to an officer.
Our Planning phone lines (01727 866100) are open:
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 13:00
You can access our Planning Team, Monday - Friday 10am to 12pm
Please note, planning officers are only available to speak to applicants or their agents about their current "live" planning applications.
Planning officers are not available to take calls outside these times. If a planning officer has any questions about your application, they will contact you.
Our online service is available 24/7 where you can view and track current applications, explore the Local Plan, make new planning applications plus much more.
Please do not contact the planning department for an update on your application. You can monitor the website for comments and consultation responses on your application using the online search facility. See: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/view-and-track-planning-applications
Any amendments during the course of the planning application will now go through our chargeable service, which is at the discretion of officers in accordance with our guidance. Should you wish to seek initial views on a proposal, please use our preapplication advice service. See: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/planning-permission
To speed up the determination of your application, please note the following advice:
- Please ensure your application includes all the necessary information.
- Please do not submit updates or revisions to your application unless requested to do so by the Planning Officer.
- Please submit current photographs of the site and surroundings to help your case officer assess the application.
- Please put up a site notice if asked to do so and send additional photographs if requested. If you cannot do this, please let us know promptly – failure to display a site notice correctly will cause a delay in processing the planning application.
Thank you for your patience while our officers deal with a heavier than usual workload.
We now offer a new free online service for householders to check if works they are planning to their home will need planning permission – to find out more please see Do I Need Planning Permission?
Public Inquiries
Current and forthcoming
Appeal by Tarmac Ltd of application 5/2022/0599 at Land adjacent to Colney Heath Football Club, Colney Heath, St. Albans
To view all documents and submissions please see Colney Heath Inquiry.
Appeal by JK Rudkin Builders Ltd of application 5/2022/2443 at Land at Bricket Wood Sports And Country Club, Paintball Site & Bricket Lodge, Lye Lane, Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire, AL2 3TF
For further information, please see our web page Bricket Wood Inquiry.
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Local Plan - Inspectors to begin examination hearings
The examination hearings for a Local Plan for St Albans District are to start with an opportunity for objectors to raise any concerns.
Local Plan for St Albans District is submitted for final examination
A Local Plan for the sustainable growth of St Albans District has been submitted to the Government today (Friday 29 November 2024) for examination.
Local Plan approved for submission to the Secretary of State, by St Albans City and District Councillors
A Local Plan for St Albans District’s future growth has been agreed by Councillors.
Help shape improvements on Victoria Street, St Albans
Hertfordshire County Council and St Albans City and District Council are collaborating with the local community to transform the route between the St Albans City station and city centre.
Consultation to open on whether draft Local Plan conforms to national planning policies
A technical consultation is to be held on whether a draft Local Plan for St Albans District has met all the necessary legal requirements.
Councillors to consider draft Local Plan for public consultation
Councillors at St Albans City and District Council will meet on Monday 23 September to consider the draft Local Plan and whether it should go forward for the technical consultation, known as Regula
Council speeds up its Local Plan process
The government is currently consulting on a revised National Planning Policy Framework which, should it be implemented fully, will have major implications for Local Plans, the blueprints for future
Local Plan for St Albans District remains on schedule
A blueprint for St Albans District’s future growth is on schedule with a public consultation to be held this autumn.
Council receives ‘designation’ for non-major planning applications
The Council has received a ‘designation’ for non-major planning applications
Council gains £100,000 grant to clear planning application backlog
St Albans City and District Council has gained a £100,000 Government grant to help clear
Statement on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) at two of our properties.
RAAC roof planks were used in the construction many decades ago of two of our buildings, the William Bird and Abbey View sport pavilions.
Plan to enhance active travel is approved
A long-term plan to create better cycling and walking routes in St Albans District and encourage active travel has been agreed.
Local Plan consultation – still time to give your views
More than 1,500 people have already viewed a video providing information about the draft Local Plan for St Albans District.&
Give your views on a draft Local Plan for St Albans District
A public consultation on a draft Local Plan for St Albans District is to be launched – with residents, community groups and businesses all urged to give their views.
Council takes steps towards its Local Plan public consultation
St Albans City and District Council is moving forward with its Local Plan, preparing for its Regulation 18 public consultation later this summer.
Major progress being made with creating a Local Plan for St Albans District
Major progress has been made with the production of a Local Plan for St Albans District with a public consultation on key proposals scheduled to start this summer.