Designated Neighbourhood Plan Areas

Welwyn Parish Council is in the process of producing a Neighbourhood Plan for Welwyn Parish.

The whole of the geographic area of Welwyn Parish was designated as the Neighbourhood Plan Area on 11 September 2020. Welwyn Parish Council was the relevant body that applied for designation.

Welwyn Parish Neighbouthood Plan map

Progress on Welwyn Neighbourhood Plan

Consultation on pre-submission Neighbourhood Plan (Regulation 14)

Welwyn Parish Council consulted on the pre-submission version of the Welwyn Parish neighbourhood plan between 8 May and 28 June 2024, under Regulation 14 of The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (As Amended).

View the pre-submission version of the plan

Welwyn Neighbourhood Plan SEA screening

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required under European legislation for all plans which may have a significant effect on the environment.

A SEA aims to protect the environment and ensure the environment is considered during the preparation and adoption of plans, this promotes sustainable development.

Not all neighbourhood plans will require a SEA to be carried out. To decide if a SEA is required, a screening exercise is used to look at the proposals in a neighbourhood plan and see if a significant effect is likely. We consult three key statutory bodies Historic England, Natural England and the Environment Agency and ask for their views. We have carried out screening of the Welwyn Neighbourhood Plan and have determined that it would not require SEA or a Habitats Regulation Assessment.

A copy of the determination and the statement of reasons may be viewed and downloaded. They are also available to view in reception at the council offices, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL2 2AE. You may request a copy by emailing planningpolicy@welhat.gov.uk, or telephoning 01707 357000. A charge will be made for hard copies.

View the SEA and HRA Screening Opinion document.

Next Steps

The next stage of preparing the Welwyn Neighbourhood Plan is to submit the submission version of the plan and supporting documents to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council as the Local Planning Authority (Regulation 15).  A public consultation will be carried out by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (Regulation 16) and examination of the plan by an independent examiner will then follow (Regulation 17).

Following the examination, the Examiner will issue his final report. The Borough Council as the Local Planning Authority must then decide what action to take in response to each of the examiner's recommendations, including whether to progress the plan to a referendum. 

Further information on the progress of the Welwyn neighbourhood plan is available on the Welwyn Parish Council website