Have your say on the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is undertaking a Regulation 19 Consultation on its Proposed Submission Local Plan.

The consultation will run for a period of six weeks from 23 September 2026 – 5 November 2026.

The Local Plan sets out the Council’s proposed strategy for managing growth and development across the borough to 2043, including the provision of homes, jobs, infrastructure and environmental protection.

Sounds great doesn’t it? The downside is that, as Cuffley is denoted as a tier 2 settlement, the Parish is expected to sustain a level of development that will increase housing in the Parish by over 50% across this period. (See the development maps in the table below for their proposed allocation of local sites)

This consultation is an opportunity to make representations on the Proposed Submission Local Plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination. While the earlier Regulation 18 Consultation sought views on policies, sites and overall approach, the role of the Regulation 19 Consultation is to provide the opportunity for representations to be made on ‘soundness’ and legal compliance.

The quickest and easiest way to respond to the consultation is via the Local Plan Portal.

You can also respond by email or post.

If using either of these methods, please use the representation form that can be accessed via this link or downloaded from the table of documents below. (Please note a separate form should be filled in for each policy, site or specific part of the plan you are commenting on).

STEP 1 — READ THE PROPOSALS
Review the Proposed Submission Local Plan and the sites affecting Northaw and Cuffley.
Look beyond the headline numbers.
Examine the policies, site allocations, infrastructure evidence and environmental assessments.

STEP 2 — IDENTIFY WHAT CONCERNS YOU
Is it:
• traffic and road capacity?
• schools?
• healthcare?
• parking?
• water and drainage?
• public transport?
• Green Belt?
• wildlife and biodiversity?
• ancient woodland?
• landscape and village character?
• the cumulative impact of multiple sites?
• whether the proposed infrastructure can actually be delivered?

STEP 3 — RELATE YOUR CONCERN TO THE TESTS
Ask whether the proposal is:
• Positively prepared?
• Justified?
• Effective?
• Consistent with national policy?

STEP 4 — BE SPECIFIC
State which policy, site allocation or section you are commenting on.
Explain what you believe should be changed and why.
Supporting evidence can make a representation stronger.

STEP 5 — SUBMIT IT
The quickest route is the council’s Local Plan consultation portal: welwynhatfieldlocalplan.commonplace.is
You can also respond by email or post using the council’s representation form.
Remember: a separate form should be completed for each policy, site or specific part of the plan you are commenting on.

THE DEADLINE – 6PM, 5th NOVEMBER 2026
Don’t assume there will be another chance to make these points.
Don’t assume someone else will do this on your behalf.

This is the last formal opportunity to challenge the plan before it moves forward to independent examination.