New Local Plan

The Local Plan defines the framework for development in the district over a fifteen year period, including the policies that any development must comply with, the designation of sites between categories of use (including Green Belt) and sites for major development over that period.

The Local Plan is different from the Chorleywood Neighbourhood Plan as it covers the whole of Three Rivers, covers a wider range of policies than is possible in a Neighbourhood Plan and identifies a series of sites that will be developed over the next 15 years. Whilst the Neighbourhood Plan will be important in influencing development in the Parish, it cannot override the Local Plan and so it is vital that residents have their say on this plan.

On this page we provide the latest information about the revised plan including our analysis of the proposed sites in Chorleywood. 

Previous information has been archived and can be obtained using the buttons on the end of the page.

Update July 2025

A consultation has started on a series of new sites for potential development and planning policies that will potentially be included in the new Local Plan. This consultation runs until 31st August.

Sites

Since the Government has changed the new housing targets for councils and the rules over how Green Belt is to be viewed when considering planning applications, TRDC has had to delay development of the new Local Plan and undertake a new Call For Sites. The sites being consulted on now came forward as a result of this Call.

The sites being consulted on now are not as replacements of sites previously consulted on but are in addition to those sites.

The full Council consultation can be found at:

https://haveyoursay.threerivers.gov.uk/local-plan-newly-submitted-sites-policies-consultation

The sites in Chorleywood contained in this consultation are:

Please note that the promoter of the site may not be the current owner of the full site. Whilst it may appear illogical, this is standard in planning. However, where the promoter is not the landowner, this will be taken into account when the Council considers the availability of the site, a key decision-making criteria for inclusion in the Local Plan.

See also

• TRDC Summary of Chorleywood Sites
• CRA Initial analysis of Sites
• *NEW* CRA Detailed Commentary on Sites

Policies

In addition to the new sites, the Council is consulting on the final policies for inclusion in the new Local Plan. These policies, once finalised and adopted, would be applied to planning applications in the District.

The policies being consulted on are for:

• Biodiversity
• Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
• Northwood Headquarters (MOD)
• Net Zero

Below is an extract from the Consultation Document covering the new policies.

Reg 18 Consultation – July 2025 – Consultation Document – Policies

Comments on the policies can be made as part of the same consultation survey as the sites – questions 69 – 84.

Update March 2025

The Government has now provided updated guidance on what qualifies as “Grey Belt”, i.e. Green Belt in which development will be permitted. Disappointingly, the definition of Grey Belt is extremely broad – to such an extent that only very small amounts of Green Belt will not be defined as Grey Belt.

For those interested, a template which summarises the rules for the definition of Grey Belt and inappropriate residential development in Green Belt is below:

Testing Development in Green Belt

Update January 2025

The Government has recently revised its National Planning Policy Framework, significantly increasing housing targets for many councils. For Three Rivers, this results in a new mandatory target of 15,000 new homes over 18 years – a 30% increase on the previous advisory number.

The deadline for councils to submit a draft Local Plan under the old framework is 12th March 2025. After discussions with council leaders, officers and local political parties, it has become clear that the previous proposal of 4,800 homes over the plan period would now be considered unacceptable, even under the old framework. To adjust to a higher level (around 8,000 homes) that might be acceptable would require substantial updates to supporting evidence, which cannot be completed in the available time.

Under the new framework, councils are now required to allocate space for housing on Green Belt land if they cannot meet their targets through other means.

What happens next?

Three Rivers District Council will commission a new Green Belt review to assess whether and where boundaries could be adjusted without excessively damaging the overall Green Belt, which could provide evidence to reduce the overall housing target. Residents will have the opportunity to give their views on the revised plan during a public consultation later this year. 

Whilst we are extremely disappointed by this turn of events and its potential impact on our area, we accept that the Council has no choice other than to work within the Government’s framework. We will continue working to ensure that any plans balance housing needs with protecting our local environment and community character. We will issue further updates as matters progress.