Planning

The county council has several different strategic planning and development management duties.

The county council is not responsible for planning issues and applications for built development, such as housing.  Most building work requires planning permission from you local District/Borough Council.  In order to find your local council please use on the link below - Which District am I in?

County Planning

The county council determines planning applications for the services it provides, such as schools and libraries.

Minerals and waste applications

The county council is the responsible authority for determining planning applications involving mineral workings and waste management activities. This includes enforcing planning conditions related to such developments.

Minerals and waste planning policy

We are required to prepare Waste and Minerals Planning Documents for the county. These set planning policies for mineral extraction and waste management in the county. They also identify potentially suitable sites for facilities. This is a separate function to the county council's responsibility as waste disposal authority, where contracts are arranged for the disposal of Local Authority Collected Waste.


Transport planning

The planning department develops policies for transport in Hertfordshire and produces a Local Transport Plan setting strategic objectives for the county’s transport system.  We also ensure that these policies and objectives are reflected in district councils' Local Development Frameworks/Local Plans.

Planning advice provided to Local Planning Authorities

The county council provides advice to Local Planning Authorities on the scale, location and quality of development in the county and any potential highway and environmental impacts of planning applications they are determining. The county council also has input into the Local Plans developed by District/Borough Councils.