New Dacorum Local Plan (to 2038) 

What is the new Dacorum Local Plan?

The new Dacorum Local Plan is where the big decisions on planning for the future of our communities and the borough will be made. It sets out where new homes will be built and what employment land, new community facilities and infrastructure will be needed - including new schools and transport improvements.

We consulted on the Dacorum Local Plan (2020-2038) Emerging Strategy for Growth from 29 November 2020 to 28 February 2021. This set out our preferred approach to accommodating growth across Dacorum, the sites we are proposing and the draft policies that will deliver these and control other development within the borough. Our video explains more:

Once adopted, the new Dacorum Local Plan will replace the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (2016), Core Strategy (2013) and ‘saved policies’ from the Dacorum Borough Local Plan (2004). We’re also working with our neighbouring authorities to develop a Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) for the South West Hertfordshire area. This will set out a strategic framework and shared priorities for five local authorities and Hertfordshire County Council, and help us jointly plan for new infrastructure to be delivered alongside new homes and jobs.

Local Plan Update Newsletter Autumn 2021

 Local Plan Update Newsletter Autumn 2021 (PDF 384KB)

Joint Strategic Plan Consultation (September - November 2022)

Consultation on the South West Herts Joint Strategic Plan has now closed. We would like to thank everyone who took part. The team will look at all of the comments received, and these will be summarised in a consultation report. This will be published on the SW Herts Joint Strategic Plan website once it is available.

Dacorum Local Plan Emerging Strategy for Growth (2020-2038) consultation

Our consultation on the Emerging Strategy for Growth stage of the Local Plan is now closed.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation. All comments received are now published and can be viewed under the What People Say section on our consultation portal (by clicking on the green “eye” icon next to each chapter where comments have been made).

We have prepared a Consultation Summary Report (see Summary report and Appendices below) on the key issues raised, and identified some recommendations and next steps regarding the continued progression of the Local Plan.

 Appendix 1 - Emerging Strategy Consultation Summary Report (PDF 5.8MB)
 Consultation Summary Report - Appendix 2a - Consultation points 3 to 5 (PDF 12MB)
 Consultation Summary Report - Appendix 2b - Consultation points 6 to 12 (PDF 9MB)
 Consultation Summary Report - Appendix 2c - Consultation points 14 to 22 (PDF 11MB)
 Consultation Summary Report - Appendix 2d - Consultation point 23 - All Settlement Delivery Strategies (PDF 11MB)
 Consultation Summary Report - Appendix 2e - Consultation point 24 - Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted Proposals and Sites (PDF 8MB)
 Consultation Summary Report - Appendix 2f - Consultation point 24 - Tring to Countryside Proposals and Sites (PDF 10MB)
 Consultation Summary Report - Appendix 2g - Consultation points 25 to 28 (PDF 12MB)

Dacorum Local Plan (2020-2038) Emerging Strategy for Growth documents

Part 1 - Local Plan Emerging Strategy for Growth 2020-2038 - pages 1 to 187 (PDF 8MB)
 Part 2 - Local Plan Emerging Strategy for Growth 2020-2038 - pages 188 to 261 (PDF 4MB)
 Part 3 - Local Plan Emerging Strategy for Growth 2020-2038 - pages 262 to 297 (PDF 11MB)
 Part 4 - Local Plan Emerging Strategy for Growth 2020-2038 - pages 298 to 359 (PDF 11MB)
 Local Plan Emerging Strategy for Growth 2020-2038 Draft Proposals Map (PDF 9MB)

Sustainability Appraisal documents

 Dacorum Local Plan Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report - November 2020 (PDF 2MB)
 Dacorum Local Plan Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report Appendices - November 2020 (PDF 4MB)
 Dacorum Local Plan Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report - Non-Technical Summary - November 2020 (PDF 1MB)

Other supporting consultation documents

 Local Plan Emerging Strategy for Growth 2020-2038 - Summary Document (PDF 4MB) 
 Local Plan Emerging Strategy for Growth Consultation FAQs and Supporting Information (PDF 10MB)

Please keep an eye on this web page for the latest updates.

Previous consultations

In November 2017, extensive public consultation was carried out on the Issues and Options document - this looked at the challenges the borough faces to 2036, and options for how these could be addressed. A draft Sustainability Appraisal Working Note, which assessed the potential social, economic and environmental implications of the issues and options put forward, was also published for comment. Find out more about the Issue and Options consultation.

How we’ve been developing our Local Plan

The Plan has been informed by evidence and technical studies. Some evidence gathering has already begun to help inform this process. For more details, please visit our evidence base work for the new single Local Plan.

How can I find out more?

Please contact the Strategic Planning and Regeneration team if you have any questions or require further information:

Email: strategic.planning@dacorum.gov.uk
Telephone: 01442 228660
Address: Strategic Planning and Regeneration Team, Dacorum Borough Council. The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel  Hempstead, Hertfordshire. HP1 1DN