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.
Validation Delays
We are currently experiencing a peak in applications which, together with staff shortages, has caused our usual validation timescales to slip - we are working to minimise any delays but please note, however, that despite our best efforts, some delay may be unavoidable.
Update on our planning service - Effective 23rd December 2022
We continue to have a high number of planning applications currently awaiting decisions. Our current average timescales for deciding applications are as follows:
Householder applications – 14 weeks
Minor applications (including replacement dwellings) – 18 weeks
To provide certainty to all our customers, a request for an extended time period to determine your application will be made to your agent by one of our Technical team at the time of validating your planning application. If this extended time period is agreed, we will update the website with the new expiry date and the officers will work to meet this realistic timescale as far as possible.
For applications that are pending a decision and are expired, we will be in touch with you to agree an extended time period for a decision as soon as we are able to provide this.
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 these times. If a planning officer has any questions about your application, they will contact you.
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
In order to prioritise issuing decisions, we are not currently accepting amendments during the course of the planning application. 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.
If your application is not showing a named case officer currently, we will assign one as soon as we are able to do so. Thank you for your patience while our officers deal with a heavier than usual workload.
Chiswell Green Appeals - Public Inquiry
The Inquiry took evidence and submissions between 17 & 25 April 2023 in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans. The session scheduled for 26 April was not needed. It will meet again for Planning Conditions and Closing Arguments to be heard on Tuesday 9th May (from 9:30am in the Council Chamber and on our Live Stream). Please note that capacity in the Council Chamber is limited and spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The Inquiry will however be live streamed so will be available to view online at https://stalbans.public-i.tv/core/portal/home Note: The recording of each’s day’s live stream becomes available around 8:30pm.
The core documents and submissions can be viewed on our web page:
Chiswell Green Inquiry
Planning and Building Control news
Get free updates
Sign up for the latest news, events, and other updates

£300,000 award to improve planning service for residents
A £300,000 grant has been awarded to St Albans City and District Council’s planning team for an important digital project.

Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan – only a few days left to make sure your views are heard
Residents and community groups have only a few days left to give their views about a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for St Albans District.
Give your views on a Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for St Albans District
Residents, businesses and community groups can help shape a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for St Albans District.
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.