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.
Delays in planning services
We are currently dealing with a high number of planning applications and apologise that applications are taking longer than usual to process. Please see the update below regarding contact with the planning department.
Update on our planning service - Effective 4th October 2022
We have a high number of planning applications currently awaiting decisions and a shortage of planning staff. This means that determination of some applications is taking longer than the targets of 8 or 13 weeks.
In order to create capacity for us to deal with the applications, phone lines to contact planning officers are only open:
- Tuesdays 10am to 12pm
- Thursdays 2pm to 4pm
Planning officers are not available to take calls outside of these times.
Please do not contact the planning department for an update on your application.
If a planning officer has any questions about your application, they will contact you.
To speed up determination of your planning application:
- 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 us 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.
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
We are trying to recruit temporary staff to assist us. If your application is not showing a named case officer currently, we will assign one as soon as staffing levels permit.
Thank you for your patience while our officers deal with a heavier than usual workload.
Planning and Building Control news
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Timetable for St Albans District’s Local Plan
A timetable for producing a Local Plan for St Albans District has been approved by Councillors.
Have your say on the future of South West Hertfordshire
Views on the future of South West Hertfordshire are being invited, as a draft vision for the area which aspires to accelerate ‘positive change’ is now open for public con
Consultation opens on measures to improve planning process
A public consultation has begun on measures intended to improve the planning application process in St Albans District.
South West Herts’ vision proceeds to next stage
Residents are to be consulted on a detailed vision for further improving South West Hertfordshire.
Housing figures for St Albans District to be challenged
The Government is to be asked to urgently clarify how future housing need in St Albans District is to be calculated.
How St Albans District will be impacted by measures to protect the Chilterns Beechwoods
Measures taken to prevent the Chilterns Beechwoods suffering further damage may impact some planning applications in St Albans District.
Changes to planning application process
An important change to the process for planning applications has been agreed by St Albans City and District Council.
Hemel Garden Communities appoints new Programme Director
Hemel Garden Communities has appointed Phillipa Zieba to the role of Programme Director. Phillipa brings with her a wealth of experience, from her previous role as Head
Hertsmere Borough Council’s Local Plan “needs a rethink”
Plans to create a garden village to the south-east of St Albans District would be in breach of the Government’s Green Belt policy, Councillors have warned.
Improvements to planning application process
Improvements to the planning application system in St Albans District have been recommended for the benefit of all those involved.
Plan to improve cycling and walking networks
A plan to create better cycling and walking routes in St Albans District is to be drawn up to encourage active travel.
Neighbourhood plan for St Stephen – give your views
Residents, businesses and community groups are being consulted about a neighbourhood plan for the parish of St Stephen.
Sandridge Neighbourhood Plan – referendum to be held
Residents in Sandridge are to vote in a referendum on a neighbourhood plan that will help shape the area’s future development.
Developers agreed to pay more than £400,000 towards community infrastructure last year
Property developers agreed last year to pay more than £400,000 towards the cost of community facilities in St Albans District.
Local Plan – call for potential development sites in St Albans District to be put forward
Landowners, builders and other interested groups are asked to put forward sites within St Albans District which might be suitable for development.
Draft Local Plan withdrawn
A draft Local Plan (LP) that identified land for development in St Albans District has been withdrawn.