Watford Rural area given chance to develop own planning policies

Members sitting on Monday’s Policy and Resources Committee (29 June) approved Watford Rural Parish Council’s request to designate the parished boundary as a neighbourhood area.

This will allow communities in the Watford Rural area to develop a neighbourhood plan, which sets out planning policies that can help shape what the area will look like, protect the area’s character and heritage and support future growth.

Once the neighbourhood plan is drafted, it is subject to consultations, an independent examination and a referendum before it can be adopted.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “I am delighted that we are able to give the parish council and the residents in the Watford Rural boundary the opportunity to begin the process of shaping the future of the area they live and work in.”