Development Plan (Current Local Plan)

Development Plan

We produce a variety of policy and strategy documents that set out how we plan for and manage future development in the district. These documents make up our ‘Development Plan’ for the district.

Core Strategy

Our Core Strategy (PDF, 4 MB), which was adopted in 2011, sets out the range of measures we are taking to improve affordable housing and infrastructure in Three Rivers District over a 15-year period. It also details our approach to promoting more sustainable development in general. It is a strategic document that forms part of our Development Plan for the district.

Click to view the Inspector’s Report (doc).

Core Strategy: Further documents

The documents in the below list support the Core Strategy:

• Core Strategy Adoption Statement (PDF)
• Sustainability Appraisal (PDF, 4.4 MB)
• Sustainability Appraisal Addendum (PDF)
• Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement (PDF)
• Policy CP4 Evidence July 2025 (PDF)
• Changes to the Core Strategy Proposed Submission Oct 10 (PDF)
• Core Strategy Proposed Submission Sustainability Appraisal (PDF)
• Proposed Submission Core Strategy (PDF, 3.1 MB)

Site Allocations Local Development Document

The Site Allocations Local Development Document (LDD) (PDF, 3.5 MB) was adopted in 2014. It supports the delivery of the Core Strategy by allocating specific sites that meet needs for housing, employment, education, shopping and open spaces in Three Rivers District.

Site Allocations LDD further documents

Site Allocations Adoption Statement (PDF)

Sustainability Adoption Statement 2014 (PDF)

Development Management Policies Local Development Document

The Development Management Policies Local Development Document (PDF, 3.7 MB) was adopted in 2013. It sets out the criteria we use to assess all planning applications in the district. It supports the implementation of the Core Strategy as part of the wider Development Plan.

Applicants must submit an Energy Statement demonstrating how their proposals meet the requirements of Policy DM4 of the Development Management Policies. This policy stipulates that developments must produce at least 5% fewer carbon dioxide emissions than the requirements of Building Regulations Part L (2013), having regard to feasibility and viability.

Development Management Policies further documents

• Adoption Statement (PDF)
• Sustainability Appraisal (PDF)
• Sustainability Appraisal Addendum (PDF)
• Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement (PDF)

We also refer to the below documents in assessing planning applications:

• TRDC SPG 3 – Greenbelt (PD)
• TRDC SPG 5 – Cycling Strategy (PDF)
• Approved Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (PDF, 1.4 MB)
• Open Space, Amenity and Children’s Playspace Supplementary Planning Document (2007) (PDF, 1.3 MB)

Croxley Green Neighbourhood Plan

The Croxley Green Neighbourhood Plan (Referendum Version) (PDF, 5.5 MB) was approved in 2018 following a residential referendum. It sets out the planning policies we use to assess planning applications in the Croxley Green Parish Area.

Click to read the plan's Appendices (PDF, 12 MB) and the Independent Examiner’s Report (PDF, 1 MB).

Croxley Green Neighbourhood Plan further documents

• Croxley Green Neighbourhood Plan - Referendum Result (PDF)
• Croxley Green Neighbourhood Development Plan - Final Decision Statement (PDF)

Chorleywood Neighbourhood Plan

The Chorleywood Neighbourhood Plan (Referendum Version) (PDF, 8.7 MB) was approved in 2021 following a residential referendum. It sets out the planning policies we use to assess planning applications in the Chorleywood Parish Area.

Click to read the Independent Examiner’s Report (PDF).

Chorleywood Neighbourhood Plan further documents

• Chorleywood Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Result (PDF)
• Chorleywood Neighbourhood Plan Decision Statement (PDF)

Batchworth Neighbourhood Plan

The Batchworth Neighbourhood Plan (Referendum Version) was approved in May 2025 following a residential referendum.

Minerals and waste policies and proposals

Hertfordshire County Council produces policies and proposals related to minerals and waste planning that cover the county of Hertfordshire.

• The Minerals Local Plan 2002–2016
• The Waste Core Strategy and Development Management Policies 2011–2026
• The Waste Site Allocations Development Plan Document 2011–2026

Evidence base

The Council has commissioned and carried out a variety of studies in order to inform the evidence base for the Local Development Framework. These are technical studies which inform Local Development Framework and policy.

LDF Transport Modelling - Executive Summary Report (pdf)

Transport Study Tech Note 1 (pdf)

Transport Study Tech Note 2 with appendices (pdf)

Transport Study Tech Note 3 (pdf)

Transport Study Tech Note 4 (pdf)

Transport Study Tech Note 5 (pdf)

[EB01] Urban Capacity Study (January 2005) (pdf)

[EB02] Employment Land Study (pdf)

[EB03] Hertfordshire London Arc Jobs Growth and Employment Land (2008) (pdf)

[EB04] South West Herts Employment Land Update (June 2010) (pdf)

[EB05] Open Space Sport and Recreation Study (2005) (pdf)

[EB06] Open Space Update (2010) (pdf)

[EB06] Playing Pitch Update (2010) (pdf)

[EB07] Assessment of Accommodation Needs of Gypsies and Travellers (2006) (pdf)

[EB09] Retail Capacity Study (October 2006) (pdf)

Retail and Leisure Study 2012 (pdf)

• Appendix 1 (pdf)
• Appendix 2 (pdf)
• Appendix 3 (pdf)
• Appendix 4 (pdf)
• Appendix 5 (pdf)

[EB10] Transport Background Paper (February 2011) (pdf)

[EB11] Access to Services & Infrastructure Background Paper (March 2007) (pdf)

[EB12] Settlement Appraisal Update (March 2010) (pdf)

[EB13] Housing Market Needs Background Paper (October 2006) (pdf)

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 1 Addendum November 2012 (pdf)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Assessment of Flood Risk Sites (November 2012) (pdf)
• Flood Risk Sequential Test November 2012 (pdf)

[EB15] Strategic Housing Market Assessment (pdf)

[EB16] Development Economics Study (Housing Viability) (February 2009) (pdf)

[EB17] Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (October 2008)

• SW Herts SHLAA Final Non-Technical Summary (pdf)
• SW Herts SHLAA Final Volume 1 (pdf)
• SW Herts SHLAA Final Volume 2 (pdf)
• SW Herts SHLAA Final Volume 3b (pdf)
• SW Herts SHLAA Final Volume 4b (pdf)

[EB18] SHLAA Stage 2 Review July 2010 (pdf)

[EB19] Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (April 2010) (pdf)

• SHLAA Chapter 4 Site Schedules (pdf)
• SHLAA Chapter 5 Site Maps part 1 (pdf)
• SHLAA Chapter 5 Site Maps part 2 (pdf)
• SHLAA Chapter 5 Site Maps part 3 (pdf)
• SHLAA Chapter 5 Site Maps part 4 (pdf)

[EB20] Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Investment Strategy Summary Report (pdf)

[EB21] Green Infrastructure Background Paper (pdf)

[EB22] Water Cycle Study (2010) (pdf)

[EB23] Hertfordshire Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Technical Report (July 2010) (pdf)

[EB24] Spatial Portrait of Three Rivers (pdf)

[SD13] Infrastructure Delivery Plan (2010) (pdf)

Site Allocations Supporting Information (November 2012) (pdf)

Site Allocations Housing Site Scores (November 2012) (pdf)