New Local Plan

New Local Plan

Three Rivers District council are preparing a new Local Plan that will set out how it plans for future growth and development in the district. This plan will form the blueprint for how the council will sustainably develop the district until 2041, including managing needs for housing, jobs and supporting infrastructure – for example, shops, community facilities, transport, open spaces, schools and healthcare.

The new Local Plan will identify possible sites for development and will set out the policies against which the council will assess planning applications.

Local Plan Regulation 18 Newly Submitted Sites and New Policies Consultation

Have your say on newly submitted sites and new policies. We would like to hear your views during the public consultation which runs from Wednesday 16 July 2025 to Sunday 31 August 2025.

The consultation will close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 31 August 2025.

Find out more and have your say.

Call for sites

The council is required to seek to identify enough land to meet the district’s housing needs for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople.

The call for sites period starts on Friday 4 July and runs for four weeks, ending at 5pm on Monday 4 August 2025.

Find out more here

Local Development Scheme

The Local Development Scheme was formally adopted at Full Council on 10 December 2024 and sets out the timetable for the progress of the Local Plan. The scheme can be viewed here.

However, following the Extraordinary Full Council Meeting on 7 January 2025, Members have agreed that officers should aim to publish the Regulation 19 draft plan by 7 November 2025. To achieve this the draft plan will need to be brought to Full Council on 21 October.

Evidence base

We have conducted a number of studies to help us develop the Local Plan, ensuring that it is robust and justified. For more details, see our Evidence Base page.

Further evidence will need to be completed prior to Regulation 19 publication in November 2025. This includes, but is not limited to: a Green Belt Review, Whole Plan Viability Assessment, Sustainability Appraisal and a Transport Assessment.

Previous Local Plan consultations

Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation Part 4:
Three Rivers’ Preferred Local Plan Lower Housing Growth Option - Protecting More Green Belt Land

From Friday 27 October to Sunday 10 December 2023, residents were consulted on the council’s new plan for fewer houses and protecting the green belt. This consultation has now closed. Details of the consultation can be viewed below:

Associated Documents

• Regulation 18 Part Four Consultation Document (4.92 MB)(PDF)
• Appendix 1 - Sites Not Proposed for Development by TRDC (2.75 MB)(PDF)
• Appendix 2 - South East Area Map (4.49 MB)(PDF)
• Appendix 3 - South West Area Map  (4.1MB)(PDF)
• Appendix 4 - North East Area Map  (4.08 MB)(PDF)
• Appendix 5 - North West Area Map (3.14 MB)(PDF)
• Sustainability Appraisal Working Note - October 2023 (1.05MB)(PDF)

From 11 June 2021 to 20 August 2021, we consulted residents, local communities, businesses and other interested stakeholders about the draft Local Plan and from 27 January 2023 to 30 March 2023 we undertook a supplementary consultation on a small number of additional sites submitted as a result of the 2021 consultation.

Following this consultation, the council expect to be undertaking a further Regulation 18 consultation in the autumn: Our vision for Three Rivers - our preferred Local Plan and housing numbers. This will focus on an alternative Local Plan with a lower housing target that is considered to more appropriately meet the District's needs and prioritises local circumstances. This will provide another opportunity for local communities, businesses and other stakeholders to comment on content of the draft New Local Plan.

The 2023 consultation documents are available below:

Part 3: Additional Sites for Potential Allocation (PDF)
Appendix 1 – Sites not being taken forward (PDF)
Appendix 2 – Bedmond sites being removed (PDF)
Appendix 3 – District Wide Map (PDF)
Appendix 4 – Map of Bedmond (PDF)
Appendix 5 – Map of Abbots Langley (PDF)
Appendix 6 – Map of Kings Langley (PDF)
Appendix 7 – Map of Maple Cross and West Hyde (PDF)
Appendix 8 – Map of Hunton Bridge (PDF)
Appendix 9 – Map of Sarratt and Chipperfield (PDF)

All of the potential sites from both the 2021 Sites for Potential Allocation and 2023 Additional Sites for Potential Allocation consultations can be viewed on the interactive online map.

A Sustainability Appraisal Working Note - January 2023 (PDF) has been produced to accompany the Regulation 18 Additional Sites for Potential Allocation Consultation. 

The 2021 consultation documents are available below:

Part 1: Preferred Policy Options (PDF, 4.4 MB)
Part 2: Sites for Potential Allocation (PDF, 14.4 MB)
Appendix 1 Indicative Housing Delivery Trajectory (PDF)
Appendix 2 Sites not taken forward (PDF, 7.35 MB)
Appendix 3 Existing Employment Allocations (PDF)
Appendix 4 Schedule of Proposed & Retained Public Open Space Allocations (PDF)
Appendix 5 Map of Proposed & Retained Public Open Space Allocations (PDF, 13.8 MB)
Appendix 6a Map of Existing & Potential Sites for Allocation – North West (PDF, 14.1 MB)
Appendix 6b Map of Existing & Potential Sites for Allocation – North East (PDF, 25.4 MB)
Appendix 6c Map of Existing & Potential Sites for Allocation – South West (PDF, 15.1 MB)
Appendix 6d Map of Existing & Potential Sites for Allocation – South East (PDF, 19.4 MB)

Click to view an interactive map of areas included in appendix 6a to 6d.

The council produced an Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report to accompany the consultation. The documents in the report can be downloaded below:

Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report (June 2021) (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report Appendices (June 2021) (PDF, 3.6 MB)
Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report Non-Technical Summary (June 2021) (PDF)

Previous consultations

A full list of previous consultations is available below. If you would like to be informed about future consultations, please email localplanconsult@threerivers.gov.uk.

Potential Sites Consultation (26 October 2018 to 21 December 2018)

Potential Sites Document (PDF) Additional Sites Document (PDF) Sustainability Appraisal Working Note (PDF) Advert (Watford Observer 26 October 2018) (PDF) Sustainability Appraisal Working Note (July 2019) (PDF)

Local Plan Issues & Options and Call for Sites Public Consultation – Regulation 18 (28 July 2017 to 8 Sept 2017) and Additional Call for Sites Consultation (30 July 2018 to 20 Aug 2018)

The Local Plan Issues & Options and Call for Sites Public Consultation identified some of the challenges facing the district and explored possible solutions. The council sought views on how best to balance the delivery of growth across the district to meet future need while protecting the district’s historic and natural environment. Landowners, agents and developers were also invited to submit new sites that could be developed to meet future demand for homes and jobs.

Residents were consulted on the Sustainability Appraisal that assessed the options put forward against a range of social, environmental and economic factors. For more information, see the below documents.

Issues and Options Call for Sites Consultation Document (PDF)
Sustainability Appraisal (PDF)
Representation Form (docx)
Advert (PDF)

Evidence base

Studies are carried out to help the council create and inform the new Local Plan. Together, these documents form an ‘evidence base’ for Three Rivers district.

You can download documents that form part of the evidence base below.

Strategic Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA)

The Strategic Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) (PDF) was conducted to quantify the future supply of housing and employment land in line with the national Planning Practice Guidance. It assessed the land supply in the district to help us ensure sufficient land is identified for new housing and employment uses for the plan period. The study contained detailed site assessments of all sites. The methodology used was aligned with the Sustainability Appraisal Framework at a level appropriate to the early consideration of site options.

Strategic Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) Addendum January 2023 (PDF, 3.8MB)

Strategic Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) Addendum October 2023 (PDF 4.1 MB)

The SHELAA includes the following appendices:

Appendix 1 Sites with planning permission and prior approval on 31 March 2020 (PDF)
Appendix 2 Call for Sites Submission Form (PDF)
Appendix 3 Site Assessment Proforma (PDF)
Appendix 4 Settlement Hierarchy (Core Strategy, 2011) (PDF)
Appendix 5 List of all sites considered (PDF)
Appendix 6a – All Sites District Map (PDF, 15.5 MB)
Appendix 6b-6o – All Sites Settlement Maps (PDF, 15.5 MB)

Appendices 7a – 7j provide the detailed site assessments for all sites considered:.

Directory of Sites for SHELAA Appendices (PDF)
Appendix 7a: Call for Sites detailed assessments Part 1 (PDF, 14 MB)
Appendix 7a: Call for Sites detailed assessments Part 2 (PDF, 11.5 MB)
Appendix 7b: Additional Call for Sites detailed assessments (PDF, 4.6 MB)
Appendix 7c: Potential Sites Call for Sites detailed assessments (PDF, 5.8 MB)
Appendix 7d: Previously Considered Sites detailed assessments (PDF, 8 MB)
Appendix 7e: Other Sites Put Forward detailed assessments (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Appendix 7f: Urban Capacity Sites detailed assessments (PDF, 9.9 MB)
Appendix 7g: Refused and Withdrawn Application Sites detailed assessments (PDF, 3 MB)
Appendix 7h: Edge of Settlement Sites detailed assessments (PDF, 5.5 MB)
Appendix 7i: Existing Allocations detailed assessments (PDF, 3.7 MB)
Appendix 7j: Brownfield Register Sites detailed assessments (PDF)
Appendix 8 Summary of detailed assessments for all sites (PDF)
Appendix 9 List of deliverable-developable sites (PDF)

Urban Capacity Study

The Urban Capacity Study August 2020 (PDF) assessed urban settlements to identify urban sites. Sites assessed as suitable through a preliminary assessment were included in the SHELAA.

Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study

The Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study March 2020 (PDF, 11.9 MB) was conducted to identify potential locations at the edge of existing settlements that were not considered in the SHELAA. The study also sought to identify potential locations away from existing settlements that could accommodate a new settlement should insufficient urban, edge of settlement sites be identified.

South West Hertfordshire Local Housing Needs Assessment

The South West Hertfordshire Local Housing Needs Assessment 2024 (PDF, 4.5 MB) assessed future development needs for housing across South West Hertfordshire. It considered the need for different types of housing and the housing needs of different groups in the South West Hertfordshire Housing Market Area and constituent authorities.

South West Herts Economic Study

The South West Herts Economic Study 2024 (PDF, 5.2 MB) was conducted to gain an understanding of the functional economic market area and relevant policy context. It also assessed long-term employment land and premises needs over the plan period, the current and future supply of employment land, and possible local authority planning and strategic economic development responses, including the quantum, location and type of jobs and land use allocations required to meet these needs.

South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study

This study assessed retail and leisure development needs, along with retail and leisure provision and possible strategic responses. ‘Leisure’ referred to bars, cafes, cinemas, nightclubs, takeaways, hotels, public houses and restaurants.

South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study (2018) Part 1 (PDF, 19.2 MB)
South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study (2018) Part 2 (PDF, 5.9 MB)
South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study (2018) Part 3 (PDF, 16.8 MB)
South West Hertfordshire Retail & Leisure Study (2018) Part 4 (PDF, 10.8 MB)

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment

The Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2025 (PDF, 1 MB) analysed current and future need for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation in Three Rivers District.

South West Hertfordshire Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

The South West Hertfordshire Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2019 (PDF, 5 MB) assessed all potential sources of flooding, including main river, ordinary watercourse, surface water, groundwater and sewer flooding. It also reviewed historic flooding incidents, mapped the location and extent of the functional floodplain and conducted other assessments.

Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessments are strategic documents that do not go into detail about individual sites.

Appendices

Appendix A Geo Flood Map North (PDF, 12.5 MB)
Appendix A Geo Flood Map South (PDF, 15.8 MB)
Appendix B Site Screening Spreadsheet (PDF, 177 KB)
Appendix C Understanding Flood Risk in Three Rivers (PDF, 1.4 MB)
Appendix D Catchment Level Assessment of Cumulative Impacts on Flood Risk (PDF)

A screening assessment of flood risk was conducted for all sites identified in this study. Any identified are included in the Level 2 SFRA (Appendix B).

Three Rivers District Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Draft) & Three Rivers Level 2 SFRA Addendum (Draft)

The Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment showed that a Level 2 assessment (draft) (PDF, 2.3 MB) was required at several sites in Three Rivers District. Level 2 assessments are undertaken at sites identified as ‘at risk’ of flood, which may be carried forward in the Local Plan. The aim of the Level 2 assessments is to evaluate whether it is safe to develop sites found to be at risk of flood.

The Level 2 draft assessment contains detailed assessments of the potential site allocations, including:

• an assessment of the highest risk flooding mechanism (or way flooding occurs) and most likely flooding source (or type of flooding) for each site
• an assessment of all sources of flooding, including fluvial flooding, surface water flooding, groundwater flooding, reservoir flooding, mapping of the functional floodplain and the potential increase in fluvial and surface water flood risk due to climate change
• an assessment of existing flood warnings at the sites, including whether there is safe access and egress during extreme events
• advice and recommendations on the likely suitability of Sustainable Drainage Systems for managing surface water run-off

Appendices

Appendix A Site Summary Sheets (PDF)
Appendix B Site Summary Maps Part 1 (PDF)
Appendix B Site Summary Maps Part 2 (PDF)
Appendix B Site Summary Maps Part 3 (PDF)
Appendix C Blockage Maps (PDF)
Appendix D Breach Maps (PDF)

Addendum and appendices

The Three Rivers Level 2 SFRA Addendum (Draft) (PDF, 1 MB) provides an assessment of additional sites identified through the Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study, the Urban Capacity Study and a review of refused and withdrawn application sites.

Appendix A Site Summary Sheets (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Appendix B Site Summary Maps (PDF, 21.1 MB)

Hertfordshire Water Study

The Hertfordshire Water Study 2017 (PDF, 6.87 MB) assessed water infrastructure and resources in Hertfordshire over a 30-year period from 2021 to 2051. The study considered how future growth is likely to affect water infrastructure systems, what changes might be needed to facilitate growth and how new systems might impact the environment. The study also identified options to meet local and strategic infrastructure needs, including wider policy options. The results of the study were presented at the district level, sub-catchment level and regional level.

Heritage Impact Assessments

The high-level Heritage Impact Assessments (2022) (PDF, 9.8 MB) followed best-practice procedures from Historic England to meet the requirements of heritage planning policy contained in Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It assessed the impact of 120 sites submitted as part of the Call for Sites on the historic environment.

The Heritage Impact Assessment Addendum (2020) (PDF, 6.8 MB) addendum to the 2019 assessment assessed an additional 60 sites identified through the Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study, the Urban Capacity Study – a review of refused and withdrawn application sites and other sites that were put forward.

Landscape Sensitivity Assessments

The study provided a landscape sensitivity assessment of sites submitted as part of the Call for Sites exercises.

Landscape Sensitivity Assessments (2019) Part 1 (PDF, 9.2 MB)
Landscape Sensitivity Assessments (2019) Part 2 (PDF, 7.9 MB)

The Landscape Sensitivity Assessment Addendum 2020 (PDF, 16.5 MB) to the 2019 assessment assessed an additional 42 sites identified through the Edge of Settlement/New Settlement Scoping Study, the Urban Capacity Study and a review of refused and withdrawn application sites.

The Landscape Sensitivity Assessments Addendum II 2022 (PDF, 9.7 MB) to the 2019 and 2020 assessments assessed an additional 18 sites proposed through the preferred policy options and sites for potential allocation consultation.

Outline Landscape Appraisals

The Outline Landscape Appraisals study (2019) (PDF, 8.6 MB) was conducted to supplement the Landscape Sensitivity Assessment with a more detailed evaluation of 13 potential strategic development sites in Three Rivers District. The study evaluated the potential impact on the landscape and other issues.

Open Space Sport & Recreation Study

This research included seven separate studies:

The Open Space Assessment Report 2019 (PDF, 1.8 MB) assessed open space provision in the area, its condition, distribution and overall quality. It also considered future requirements based on population distribution and planned growth. The open spaces included parks and gardens, natural and semi-natural greenspaces, amenity greenspace, provision for children and young people, allotments, cemeteries and churchyards.

The Open Space Standards Paper 2019 (PDF) was conducted to identify the deficiencies and surpluses in existing and future open space provision. It informs our approach to securing open space facilities through new housing development and helps form the basis for negotiation with developers regarding open spaces.

The Indoor Leisure Facilities Needs Assessment 2019 (PDF, 4 MB) analysed indoor sports facilities in the district and considered the demand for facilities based on population distribution, planned growth and health and socio-economic determinants. In the study, ‘indoor leisure’ included sports halls, swimming pools, health and fitness provision, gymnastics, indoor bowls, squash courts and village/community halls.

The Leisure Facilities Strategy 2019 (PDF) set out key strategic recommendations, priorities and actions. It also provided a planning gain contribution toolkit to ensure that planning gain contributions sought from individual developments are based on a tailored approach.

The Playing Pitch Strategy Assessment Report 2019 (PDF, 3 MB) conducted a supply-and-demand assessment of playing pitch and other outdoor sports facilities in Three Rivers in accordance with Sport England’s PPS Guidance. It looked at football, cricket, rugby, hockey, golf, bowls, tennis, netball and athletics.

The Playing Pitch Strategy and Action Plan 2019 (PDF, 2.1 MB) sets out sport-specific issues in the district, with strategic recommendations and an action plan.

The Playing Pitch Strategy Developer Contributions Toolkit (PDF) is a step-by-step guide to securing developer contributions for playing pitch and outdoor sports facilities in Three Rivers District. It can be used to inform spend on the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Town and Country Planning Association Report for Health

The Town and Country Planning Association Report for Health in Three Rivers (PDF, 5.1 MB) summarises local health issues in Three Rivers District.

Three Rivers District Council & Watford Borough Council Green Belt Review Strategic Analysis (Stage 1)

The Green Belt Review (Stage 1) 2017 (PDF, 10 MB) strategically reviewed Green Belt purposes, looking at 83 strategic parcels. It also considered the character and role of villages within the Green Belt to assess the suitability of continued and potential in-setting of villages within the Green Belt, as required by the NPPF.

Appendices

Appendix B1: SW1-SW10 Parcel Analysis (PDF)
Appendix B2: NW1-NW14 Parcel Analysis (PDF)
Appendix B3: C1-C15 Parcel Analysis (PDF)
Appendix B4: N1-N16 Parcel Analysis (PDF)
Appendix B5: E1-E12 Parcel Analysis (PDF)
Appendix B6: S1-S17 Parcel Analysis (PDF)
Appendix C: Villages (PDF)

Stage 2

The Stage 2 Green Belt study considered the effect of releasing Green Belt land for development purposes. A total of 152 parcels of land were assessed.

Stage 2 Green Belt Assessment for Three Rivers and Watford Borough (2019) Part 1 (PDF, 17 MB)
Stage 2 Green Belt Assessment for Three Rivers and Watford Borough (2019) Part 2 (PDF, 15.8 MB)

Stage 3: New Settlement Analysis

The Three Rivers District Council Green Belt Study Stage 3: New Settlement Analysis (2020) (PDF, 23.2 MB) analysed variations in harm to Green Belt purposes that could result from the creation of a new inset settlement, distinct from any existing inset areas.

Sustainability Appraisals/Strategic Environmental Assessments (SAs/SEAs)

We conduct SAs/SEAs in stages when preparing the Local Plan so the council can assess how the plan is performing on key sustainability issues. A combined SA and SEA Environmental Report is published with the draft Local Plan.

The Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report Update 2017 (PDF, 2 MB) was prepared in May 2017. The Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England were consulted on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the report. This stage identified the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the final SA Report. It set out the context, objectives and approach of the assessment and identifies relevant environmental, economic and social issues and objectives.

The Sustainability Appraisal Working Note Issues & Options and Call for Sites (2017) (PDF, 1.1 MB) was produced to accompany the Issues and Options and Call for Sites Consultation (2017) to assess the likely environmental, social and economic effects of the various options being considered.

A second Sustainability Appraisal Working Note (October 2018) (PDF) was prepared to accompany the consultation on the Local Plan ‘Potential Sites for Consultation’ in October 2018. It provided a broad assessment of the sites included in the consultation document.

The Sustainability Appraisal Working Note Update (July 2019) (PDF) produced to accompany the 'Potential Sites for Consultation' was updated in July 2019 to include an assessment of the 29 sites submitted following the consultation. The update also considered the changes to the original site assessments following the comments on biodiversity, the historic environment and changes to site boundaries.

Three Rivers Site Assessments SA Working Note - September 2020 (PDF, 2 MB).

Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report (June 2021) (PDF, 1.6 MB)

A Sustainability Appraisal Working Note - January 2023 (PDF) has been produced to accompany the Regulation 18 Additional Sites for Potential Allocation Consultation.

A Sustainability Appraisal Working Note - October 2023 (PDF) has been produced to accompany the Regulation 18 Part 4 Consultation.

Local Plan FAQs

What is the Local Plan?

The Local Plan is a blueprint for how the district will develop over the next 15 years. It identifies suitable sites for development to provide the new local homes and jobs that will be needed leading up to 2041 and sets out the policies against which we will assess planning applications.

Why do we need it?

We must develop a Local Plan to plan for future growth in population. Demand for housing is increasing, which means we must plan for significant new development in the district. Many families are worried about the affordability and supply of homes for their children and future generations. These are the type of issues the new Local Plan will address.

Don’t we already have a Local Plan?

We were the first local authority to adopt a Core Strategy in 2011. The strategy had an annual housing target of 180 dwellings per year from 2011 to 2026.

The government has since brought in the National Planning Policy Framework, which introduced a requirement to review local plans every five years. It also brought in a new way of calculating housing need to meet the government’s annual housing target with the aim of delivering 1.5 million new homes in their first term.

How many houses do we need to build?

The housing target set by the government using a standard method calculation is 832 dwellings a year in Three Rivers District. The new Local Plan will need to allocate sufficient land to meet this requirement. However, there may be constraints across the District that result in this number being reduced and this will be considered through Local Plan preparation.

What happens if we don’t produce a Local Plan?

The government may intervene and appoint another organisation to prepare a Local Plan for the district. This would mean less local control for the council and residents.

What happens if we don’t identify enough land to meet the housing requirement?

If we don’t identify enough land for new housing development, an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will recommend additional sites to be allocated. Simply saying no to any sites and restricting development to less than the numbers required by the government is not an option without sufficient justification. There is also a risk that the Local Plan would fail when submitted to the government’s planning inspectorate for independent examination and leave the district open to speculative planning applications, possibly resulting in development taking place in areas that we do not consider suitable. Only where there is robust evidence setting out justifiable reasons can the housing numbers be reduced. This would then be scrutinised by the Inspector at the examination in public. The Council is currently preparing evidence in support of its Local Plan.

Why don’t we build on brownfield sites?

Our priority is to identify land in urban areas (known as brownfield sites) for development. However, there are not enough brownfield sites to accommodate the high housing requirement and the need for accompanying infrastructure (e.g. schools, open spaces, transport and community facilities). As 76% of Three Rivers District is in the Green Belt, the number of new homes we need to build means we have no choice but to build on some existing greenfield sites in the Green Belt. National planning policy requires us to consider land in the Green Belt for development as part of the new Local Plan.

How are we choosing these sites?

These are difficult but necessary decisions. The sites we are putting forward for consideration meet the criteria for availability, deliverability and sustainability. Some of the sites put forward will be controversial to some, but we must allocate enough sites to meet the government target. Some sites may change following consultation, but for each site taken out, we need to add another or allocate more houses to be built on other sites.

What about infrastructure, such as schools and transport?

When assessing the suitability of a potential site, we also consider the need for infrastructure to support the planned increase in new homes and jobs. Some services, such as schools and roads, are the responsibility of the county council, so we ask for their help in drawing up the plan. We also speak to providers of other essential infrastructure, such as healthcare, utilities and communications providers.

Will all this new development be bad for the environment?

We are already committed to lowering carbon emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy. We are leading by example in reducing energy carbon emissions, increasing energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources within our own properties.

Applications for all new development must show that they produce at least 20% fewer carbon dioxide emissions than current building regulations require. We are also committed to reducing emissions within existing housing, which is responsible for 40% of total carbon emissions.

What do I get out of it?

You benefit from more housing for the next generation and more affordable housing for those that need it. You also enjoy enhanced facilities in your community, including more public open spaces, education facilities, improved transport links, cycle routes, community facilities and local shops.

Will new housing fit in and be good quality?

Planning policies within the new Local Plan will require new buildings to be of the highest possible quality, maintain reasonable privacy for existing residents and be in keeping with local character.

Do I get a say?

Yes. We want to hear the views of residents, employers and others with a stake in the district, so we consult with the public on all aspects of the Local Plan. Your views are then taken into consideration by our elected members. We also consider consultation responses when preparing the new Local Plan. If you wish to be told about consultations on the Local Plan, please email TRLDF@threerivers.gov.uk and ask to be added to the consultation database.

Statement of Community Involvement

Our Statement of Community Involvement (PDF), adopted in 2020, sets out how the council consults with stakeholders on the preparation of the Local Plan and development management in the district.

The adopted statement was reviewed more recently in light of COVID-19, and an Addendum to the Statement of Community Involvement (PDF) was adopted in 2021. The addendum sets out temporary changes the council has made to publicising planning policy documents and planning applications in line with changes to legislation and national guidance.

If you have a query about the adopted statement, email trldf@threerivers.gov.uk.

Additional call for sites

Information on identifying any potentially suitable and newly available sites can be found on our website:

Find out more here