Planning authority
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
Adopted plan 3 years old; HDT 46%.
- HDT below 75%
Adopted plan
| Plan | Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan 2016-2036 |
| Adopted | 12 October 2023 |
| Age | 3 years |
| Plan period | 2016–2036 |
| Housing requirement | 15,200 homes |
| Council's page | The adopted plan |
Plan in preparation
No plan in preparation on record.
From the national planning data platform, which can lag behind the council. Known gaps
Housing Delivery Test
| Measurement | 46% (2025) |
Applications
| Period | July 2025 to June 2026 |
| Received | 722 |
| Decided | 632 |
| Granted | 538 (85%; England 87%) |
| Refused | 94 |
| Major applications decided | 16, of which 14 granted |
| Quarter | Received | Decided | Granted | Refused |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July to September 2025 | 171 | 179 | 156 | 23 |
| October to December 2025 | 195 | 148 | 129 | 19 |
| January to March 2026 | 168 | 144 | 121 | 23 |
| April to June 2026 | 188 | 161 | 132 | 29 |
Appeals
| Decided | 1 September 2021 to 28 August 2026 |
| Planning appeals | 95: 28 allowed, 0 split, 67 dismissed |
| Householder appeals | 113: 37 allowed, 0 split, 76 dismissed |
| Allowed in full or in part | 31% (England 32%) |
Latest planning appeals
| Decided | Site | Development | Procedure | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 August 2026 | 30 Honeysuckle Gardens, Hatfield, AL10 8PJ Application 6/2025/2268/FULL | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 5 May 2026 | Unit B Fretherne Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, AL8 6PZ Application 6/2025/1297/VAR | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 1 April 2026 | 17 Thrush Avenue, Hatfield, AL10 8QU Application 6/2024/1114/FULL | Minor Dwellings, 1 home | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 20 March 2026 | 57 New Road, Digswell, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL6 0AL Application 6/2025/0387/MAJ | Major dwellings, 15 homes | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 17 February 2026 | Land adjacent to 42 Lemsford Village, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 7TR Application 6/2025/1228/FULL | Minor Dwellings, 2 homes | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 13 February 2026 | The Coach And Horses 61 Newgate Street , Hertford, SG13 8RA Application 6/2025/1023/FULL | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 6 February 2026 | Heathfield Lodge, Little Heath, Hertfordshire, EN6 1JD Application 6/2024/2427/FULL | Minor Dwellings | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 4 February 2026 | Cromer Hyde Farm, Marford Road, Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL8 7XD Application 6/2024/1680/MAJ | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 12 January 2026 | 108 Tolmers Road, Cuffley, POTTERS BAR, EN6 4JR Application 6/2025/0476/FULL | Minor Dwellings | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 29 August 2025 | 18 Douglas Way, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 2LY Application 6/2025/0575/FULL | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
Each outcome links to the case on the Planning Inspectorate's site, where the decision letter is published.
Changes recorded
No changes recorded since the tracker started.