Planning Committee

Up to January 2011, the Council had three area-based planning committees that were responsible for determining and monitoring planning applications and related enforcement matters under planning legislation.  These three area Committees were combined into one Planning Committee, which first met on 6 January 2011.

Due to the volume of applications, not all planning applications are decided by Committee.  Many are determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated powers, within the framework approved by the Council.  However, all major or significant applications are presented to the Planning Committee for determination. 

Members of the public are entitled to speak at meetings of the Planning Committee for up to three minutes on any planning application being considered.  The procedure allows one person to speak against the application and one to speak in favour.  Requests to speak shall be dealt with on a “first come, first served” basis.  The applicant, or their agent, may register to speak and will be given the speaker slot in favour of the application in the first instance.

If you would like to speak you must register to do so by calling:

020 8207 7550 between 10am and 4pm on the day of the meeting.

More details can be found in the agenda for the Planning Committee.

In addition, on behalf of others, one Councillor who is not a member of the Planning Committee may speak against the application and one in favour, as a Community Advocate and must also call the telephone line as above.

Meetings of the Planning Committee are broadcast on the Council’s website and can be viewed live and for a period of six months after the meeting.

Terms of Reference

·         The determination of applications under planning legislation and related enforcement matters.

·         Decisions in relation to the protection and preservation of specified trees and hedgerows and related enforcement action.

·         Powers delegated by Hertfordshire County Council as the highway authority relating to the protection and assertion of public rights of way, including powers to create, divert or stop up footpaths, bridleways and byways.

·         Powers relating to complaints about high hedges.