Changed arrangements for Hemel Garden Communities Supplementary Planning Documents Consultation Events

Two in person events scheduled for 24 February 2026 at Leverstock Green Village Hall and 26 February 2026 at Redbourn Parish Centre, planned as part of the Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) consultations, will now take place online in March. The change has been made in light of higher than predicted attendance numbers and the capped capacity of the venues.

The joint online event will be held on Monday 2 March 2026 from 7pm to 8pm. Moving the arrangements online will allow more people to attend.

The purpose of these consultations is to gather feedback on the Draft HGC Framework and Transformation and Draft HGC Stewardship and Placemaking Supplementary Planning Documents.

The consultations ARE NOT about the principle of allocating sites or any other current planning applications; these are being dealt with separately through the Local Plan process and /or planning application consultations.

Anyone wishing to join this event, will need to register before the event, using the link below:

HGC Online Event for Draft Supplementary Planning Documents:

Date: Monday 2 March 2026, 7pm to 8pm

Online Teams Webinar, please register to join us online.

HGC SPD Consultation online event

Registration closes Monday 2 March at midday.

Why do I need to register?

You are being asked to register before the event, so we can follow up with joining instructions and to allow us to email you with any additional information.

More information about the Supplementary Planning Document Consultations:

What is the Draft HGC Framework and Transformation Supplementary Planning Document?

The Draft HGC Framework and Transformation SPD will ensure sites are developed in a joined-up way to achieve good quality housing, green spaces and features that reduce flood risk and respond to climate change, improve active travel, and connectivity. The Draft HGC Framework and Transformation SPD will also offer strategic design code guidance for the developers who will create the new homes and neighbourhoods within the HGC Programme Area.

What is the Draft HGC Stewardship and Placemaking SPD?

The Draft HGC Stewardship and Placemaking SPD covers the approach on stewardship (how outdoor spaces and community infrastructure is managed and maintained), within the HGC Programme Area. The Draft HGC Stewardship and Placemaking SPD sets out how a fair approach will be introduced, so future development sites are consistent in their approach to stewardship and placemaking, with the aim of creating a strong sense of community and delivering transformation supported by sustainable investment, into the future.

Once adopted the SPDs will become material considerations in determining planning applications.

How can I have my say?

The consultations close at midnight on Thursday 19 March 2026.

Please submit your comments by using the Council's online consultation portal using the links below for each document.

To respond on the Draft HGC Framework and Transformation SPD consultation please visit the link below:

https://stalbans.objective.co.uk/kpse/event/70861D45-8583-4AD6-89BD-C370B3404676

To respond on the Draft Stewardship and Placemaking SPD consultation please visit the link below:

https://stalbans.objective.co.uk/kpse/event/FC0C8B64-22D0-40C6-AE60-0E516B807FDA

If this is not possible, the comment forms for both consultations are available to download from: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/hemel-garden-communities-spds

Your comment forms can be submitted:

• By email to [email protected]; or

• By post addressed to:

Spatial Planning Team, St Albans City & District Council, Civic Centre, St Peter's Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE.

Please note that comments received cannot be treated as confidential and will be available to view publicly. However, published comments will exclude your personal contact details and include only your name.

Comments will be published in line with the Planning Policy privacy notice available at https://stalbans-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/terms/tnc

Should you no longer wish to be contacted in future please email [email protected]. This means we will not use your personal data to contact you again about future consultations.

Where can I find more information?

Hard copies of the documents can be found at the following locations during opening hours:

• St Albans Civic Centre

• St Albans Library

• Redbourn Community Library

• Leverstock Green Community Library

All information and documents relating to both consultations are available online:

• Via the Council's consultation portal: stalbans-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/

• On the Council's website: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/hemel-garden-communities-spds

Notes to Editors

The Hemel Garden Communities programme is being delivered by a partnership of three local authorities, Dacorum Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council and Hertfordshire County Council, supported by the Hertfordshire Futures and Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter (Herts IQ). It has been set up to enable sustainable local growth, through delivery of up to 11,000 new homes (40% affordable homes) and up to 10,000 new jobs, in the area to the north and east of Hemel Hempstead by 2050.

For more information on the Hemel Garden Communities Programme, please visit hemelgardencommunities.co.uk or contact:

Nicola Emmett, Communications and Engagement Lead, [email protected].