Pre-application Advice for Householders Guidance

Planning Policies

National:

National Planning Policy Framework

Supplementary Planning Documents:

Welwyn Hatfield Supplementary Planning Documents

Local Plan:

The Local Plan will set out the Council's vision, objectives, delivery strategy, siteallocations (housing) and development management policies for new development in the borough to at least 2030s. Included on the Council’s website is the timetable, evidence base, sustainability appraisal and other relevant information. See our Local Plan webpage.

Environment Agency:

The Environment Agency provides site-specific pre-application advice and would like to hear from you if your proposed development site is:
• in flood zones 2 or 3;
• close to a watercourse;
• on potentially contaminated land;
• handling waste or hazardous substances, or;
• one hectare or more.

The Environment Agency (EA) will highlight any issues as part of a free ‘preliminary opinion’. The preliminary opinion will inform you of the site constraints within our remit;any documents that you will need to submit at the planning application stage; plus any further assessments, licenses or consents that you will require from the EA. As a minimum the Environment Agency will require a site plan and a brief description of the proposed use.

Any additional technical advice (including pre-application or post-permission) provided outside of the preliminary opinion - such as site visits, meetings or document reviews are now chargeable. Further details are available on the Environment Agency website.

Protected Species

Planning considerations for Protected Species.

Heritage Assets

Heritage assets include listed buildings, historic parks and gardens, conservation areas and archaeology. Nominate an asset of community value.

Sustainable Development

Sustainability is at the heart of the National Planning Policy Framework. District plan policies SD1 (Sustainable Development) and R3 (Renewable Energy) are also applicable. Advice and guidance on how developments might be improved to enhance their sustainable design may be found on the Building Futures Website.

Validation Checklist

The Council has adopted Local Planning Application Validation Checklists in August 2013. This details the information that is required to be submitted in order to provide a valid application. The lists are divided into different development categories – householder, commercial and residential development, advertisements and signs, listed building consent and works to trees. If you have sought pre-application advice, the case officer will have provided you with a checklist of the information that is required to be submitted. All applications are subject to the national requirements.

Contact Us

Should you have queries regarding the contents of this webpage, please either contact the Planning Officer who provided you with the pre-application advice or book a planning advice appointment.