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 - Effective 10 May 2024
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 – 15 weeks
Minor applications (including replacement dwellings) – 15 weeks
We are currently allocating applications that were made valid in the week commencing 1st April 2024 to a planning officer.
As a result of the higher number of applications we have awaiting a decision, we are taking longer to allocate applications to a case officer. In general, we are working through applications in order that they were made valid, however we are aiming to give priority to the following application types:
- Technical applications (e.g. prior approvals), which can obtain permission by default if these are not decided in accordance with the relevant timescale
- Certificates of Lawfulness for householder development
- Non-material amendments
- Discharge of Conditions
- Householder applications which are, in the view of the Council, simple in nature (e.g. This would not normally include applications with multiple elements proposed, applications within the Conservation Area, proposals to Listed Buildings or applications within the Metropolitan Green Belt).
- Applications which, in the view of the Council, are a straightforward resubmission of a previous proposal
If your application is not showing a named case officer currently, we will assign one as soon as we are able to do so. Please be assured that even if no officer is showing we have carried out the necessary consultations and notifications on the application. In order to give certainty to all our customers, the case officer will, upon allocation, request a realistic extended time period for a decision.
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.
The Council's Planning team is streamlining our service to ensure we can meet the needs of all our residents.
Our Planning phone lines are open:
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 13:00
You can access our Planning Duty Managers twice a week
- Tuesdays 10:00 to 12:00 and
- Thursdays 10:00 to 12:00
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.
Public Inquiries
Current and forthcoming
Appeal by JK Rudkin Builders Ltd of application 5/2022/2443at Land at Bricket Wood Sports And Country Club, Paintball Site & Bricket Lodge, Lye Lane, Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire, AL2 3TF
The Inquiry is due to open on 11th June 2024.
The core documents and submission (as they become available) can be viewed on our web page: Bricket Wood Inquiry
Appeal by Tarmac Ltd of application 5/2022/0599 at Land adjacent to Colney Heath Football Club, Colney Heath, St. Albans
The Public Inquiry adjourned on Friday 26 April 2024.
To view an Adjournment letter, arrangements for a supplementary consultation on the site access plan, core documents and submissions please see Colney Heath Inquiry.
The first four days of the Inquiry were live streamed / webcast; please see https://stalbans.public-i.tv to watch the recordings.
It will reconvene at a date that is being determined; once agreed, we will update this page.
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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.
£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.
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.
South West Herts’ vision proceeds to next stage
Residents are to be consulted on a detailed vision for further improving South West Hertfordshire.