Watford Borough Council

Latest news update – January 2012 

Core strategy

Consultation on the 'Significant Changes' to the Core Strategy has now ended.  All comments received can be viewed here.    The responses will be submitted to the Planning Inspector for consideration as part of the examination process, along with all comments received during the previous consultation in May/June 2011.

We are expecting to submit the Core Strategy to government during February 2012, for independent examination during spring/summer.

Annual Monitoring Report 2011

The Watford Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) 2011 was submitted to Government Office during December, prior to the 31 December 2011 deadline and is published here (the Executive Summary is also available to download separately).

In the AMR, you can read about progress with preparation of the Local Development Framework (LDF) and how effective Watford’s existing planning policies have been.

Conservation & Design

The Watford Character of the Area Study was adopted by the Council on the 5 December 2011.

A Conservation Area Character Appraisal for The Square was adopted by the Council on the 1 December 2011.

The Grove Mill Lane Conservation Area Character Appraisal and the Macdonnell Gardens Conservation Area Character Appraisal have recently been subject to public consultation.  They await adoption.

What is the Local plan or LDF?

Did you know that all planning decisions - from deciding whether to build a new shop or approve a new housing development - are assessed against planning policies in a local plan or plans (also known as the local development framework)? These policies help to make sure the town is developed in the right way and are prepared in consultation with local people, businesses and other interested parties, and using the latest available evidence.

This includes considering the appropriate number of homes to be built, developing the right kind of shopping and recreation facilities, creating appropriate office and industrial spaces and nurturing opportunities for local jobs.

Such policies are currently set out in the  Watford District Plan 2000 but over time this is being replaced with new policy documents including:-.

The Core Strategy - which sets out the strategic vision, objectives and spatial strategy for Watford to 2031. This policy document is nearing completion – due to be submitted to Government for independent examination in February 2012.

Development Management Policies DPD - which provides more detailed policies for considering applications for planning permission 

Site Allocations DPD - which identifies specific sites for development and the type of development that would be appropriate

Town Centre Area Action Plan

These documents are supported by Supplementary Planning Documents  (SPDs)
and other documents including:- 

• The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) – which monitors how our policies are performing
• Local Development Scheme (LDS) – which sets out the timetable for preparation of the LDF
• Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) – which sets out how we will involve you in planning policy and certain types of planning applications

For more information on our other documents, please follow the links below  or email to the address below.