Environment
Dacorum Local Plan
Background
Following completion of the consultation process, Dacorum Borough Council (DBC) submitted the draft Local Plan to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 11 March 2025. The new Plan entitled ‘Revised Strategy for Growth’ covers the period to 2041. Full details can be found at: https://letstalk.dacorum.gov.uk/hub-page/newlocalplan.
The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) appointed Planning Inspectors Mr Matthew Birkinshaw and Mr Thomas Bristow to carry out the Public Examination of the Plan. The same two inspectors have also carried out the Public Examination of the St Albans Local Plan (see the ‘East Hemel Development’ page on this website).
The Stage 1 hearings of the examination were held in the Dacorum Council Chamber in The Forum in the Marlowes in September 2025. The purpose of these hearings was to ensure the Plan was legally compliant and had been soundly prepared in accordance with national policy. Details of the hearings can be viewed at https://letstalk.dacorum.gov.uk/examination-hearing-sessions.
The Inspectors conducted a stand-alone Stage 2 examination of the Dacorum Local Plan in October 2025. This was a joint session with St Albans City and District Council (SADC) to consider strategic matters relating to the Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) proposals. The session was part of the Stage 2 hearings of the SADC Local Plan in the Civic Centre in St Albans. Details of the SADC hearings are in the East Hemel Development page on this website.
Stage 3 hearings of the Dacorum Local Plan were held in March 2026 to examine the remaining aspects of the Plan including the sites which form part of the HGC Following the March hearings, a ‘wash-up’ session was planned for April 2026, after which the Inspectors will finalise and publish their report. It is anticipated the new Local Plan will be adopted later in 2026.
The Plan
The plan proposes the building of 11,696 new homes up to 2040 which is 10% more than envisaged in 2020. The plan includes proposals for at least 6 new primary schools and 2 new secondary schools as well as a revised hospital hub and new healthcare provision including extended and upgraded GP surgeries and health hubs. The town centre will be regenerated and there will be sustainable transport improvements including the regeneration of Hemel Hempstead train station. The Plan can been found at: https://letstalk.dacorum.gov.uk/hub-page/newlocalplan.
As mentioned above, a proportion of these homes will be built as part of the Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) https://www.hemelgardencommunities.co.uk
The HGC project includes 4,000 homes to be built in St Albans City and District (SADC) on land owned by The Crown Estate. This development known as East Hemel is included in the SADC Local Plan, and 2,400 of houses will be located in East Hemel South adjacent to Leverstock Green. Full details can be found on the East Hemel Development page on the website
Westwick Row Development
The only new housing development within the DBC boundary affecting Leverstock Green is a proposal to build 75 – 80 homes on Crown Estate land south of Green Lane adjacent to Westwick Row. The Crown Estate (TCE) has appointed TOWN to manage this project.
The site is the remainder of the old Westwick Farm which was earmarked for housing many years ago. LGVA expressed a number of concerns about this development including the further loss of green space, the history of flooding in the Green Lane area, the proposed density of the housing and the need to ensure access to the development is not from Westwick Row.
Map taken from above website link.
Dark Grey Site: Current St Margarets Way development
Dark Green Site: South of Green Lane proposed development
A consultation exhibition was held in July 2025 and details of the development are presented below. Please click the bottom right corner to scroll through the pages (left corner to go back).
TCE/TOWN submitted a Planning Application for the proposed development in December 2025. The application 25/03051/MFA and the associated documents and public responses can be viewed on the planning DBC website: