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Local Development Framework
The Council's planning policies are contained in a series of documents, collectively known as the North Hertfordshire Local Development Framework (LDF). As well as setting out the Council's planning policies and spatial vision for the District, the LDF also allocates land for housing and other land uses and provide detailed guidance on other planning related matters. It must be in conformity with the East of England Plan, which is prepared by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA). The East of England Plan and North Hertfordshire LDF together are known as the development plan.
Local Development Frameworks were introduced in 2004 under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act. They replace the previous system of Local Plans, although large parts of the North Hertfordshire District Local Plan No.2 with Alterations continue to be used. An interactive version of the Local Plan is available at the Planning Portal.
The documents which currently comprise the North Hertfordshire Local Development Framework are shown in the table below. For fuller details follow either the links on the left column of this table or those on the left hand side of the page.
| Document | Description | Current status* |
| Core Strategy | This document will include the Council's spatial vision for the district. It will be closely linked to the priorities identified in the Sustainable Community Strategy for North Hertfordshire. | In preparation |
| Development Policies | This document will give the detailed policies against which planning applications will be assessed. | In preparation |
| Land Allocations | This document will identify sites to meet the District's needs for housing, employment, retail, leisure, community facilities and other uses. | In preparation |
| Stevenage and North Hertfordshire Action Plan | This document will give detailed guidance on the development of urban extensions to Stevenage. It is being prepared jointly with Stevenage Borough Council. | In preparation |
| Luton Area Action Plan | This document will give detailed guidance on the possible development of urban extensions to Luton. It will only be prepared it is proven that it is necessary for land in North Hertfordshire to be developed in order to meet the requirements of the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy. | Not yet started |
| Statement of Community Involvement | This document gives details of how the public can get involved in the preparation of planning policy documents and the determination of planning applications. | Adopted 27 Jul 2006 |
| Affordable Housing | The main policy on affordable housing is contained within the Core Strategy. This document will supplement that policy, giving guidance on the mix of affordable housing the Council will seek from new developments. | Not yet started |
| Planning Obligations | This document considers the types of requirement (including financial contributions) which the Council may seek through legal agreements on planning applications. | Adopted 2 Nov 2006 |
| Vehicle parking provision at new development | This document establishes zones within which different parking standards will be applied. | Adopted 1 Mar 2006 |
| Letchworth Garden City Town Centre Strategy | Provides guidance on the future of the town centre of Letchworth Garden City. | Adopted 18 Jan 2007 |
| Royston Town Centre Strategy | Provides guidance on the future of the town centre of Royston. | Adopted 26 Jun 2008 |
*Last updated 3 July 2008