How many planning applications has Hertfordshire County Council received?

Hertfordshire County Council received 15 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 100%.

How long does Hertfordshire County Council take to decide planning applications?

Hertfordshire County Council takes an average of 178 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for Hertfordshire County Council?

Hertfordshire County Council approves 100% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in Hertfordshire County Council?

To object to a Hertfordshire County Council planning application, you must submit your representation to Hertfordshire County Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the Hertfordshire County Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Can I appeal a Hertfordshire County Council planning decision?

Yes. If Hertfordshire County Council refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 1783 appeals were lodged against Hertfordshire County Council decisions in the last 24 months, with a 32% success rate.

Hertfordshire County Council Planning Applications

Q: How do I search Hertfordshire County Council planning applications?

You can search Hertfordshire County Council planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the Hertfordshire County Council area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

Search and explore Hertfordshire County Council planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the Hertfordshire County Council planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: East of England

About Hertfordshire County Council

Hertfordshire County Council serves as the upper-tier local authority for Hertfordshire, established in 1889. The council oversees essential public services such as social care, transportation, education, and fire and rescue operations. With the Liberal Democrats holding a plurality since May 2025, the council operates under a minority administration, with key meetings and its main offices located at Robertson House in Stevenage. This information is vital for anyone researching planning applications within the county.

Governance

Leader: Steve Jarvis (Liberal Democrat), since 20 May 2025

Chair: Laurence Brass (Liberal Democrat), since 20 May 2025

Chief Executive: Angie Ridgwell, since September 2024

Seats: 78 councillors (term: 4 years)

Founded: 1889

Last election: 1 May 2025

Political composition: Liberal Democrat (32), Conservative (21), Reform (14), Green (5), Labour (4), Restore Britain (1), Independent (1)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Hertfordshire County Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Hertfordshire County Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in Hertfordshire County Council mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Average property sale price: £376,935 (based on 50 recent transactions from HM Land Registry).

Area Information

Admin district: North Hertfordshire
Parliamentary constituency: North East Hertfordshire
LSOA: North Hertfordshire 004C

Crime Statistics

76 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

violent-crime: 26
anti-social-behaviour: 19
other-theft: 9
criminal-damage-arson: 8
shoplifting: 4
drugs: 3
public-order: 2
other-crime: 2
burglary: 1
possession-of-weapons: 1
robbery: 1

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in Hertfordshire County Council.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Hertfordshire County Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in Hertfordshire County Council

544 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Hertfordshire County Council area.

Monitoring Stations

7 flood monitoring stations near Hertfordshire County Council.

Arlesey (River Hiz)
Walkern (River Beane)
HITCHIN GS
ARLESEY GS
Rainfall station
Rainfall station
Rainfall station

A brief summary of Hertfordshire County Council

The average property sale price in the Hertfordshire County Council area is £376,935, based on 50 recent transactions.

The Hertfordshire County Council area recorded 76 crimes in the most recent reporting period. Prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

Ecology & Nature Designations

The Hertfordshire County Council area includes 1 Ancient Woodland site. These designations may affect planning decisions, as proposals near protected sites require environmental impact assessment and may face additional restrictions.

The council area encompasses 544 towns and villages, including Baldock, Berkhamsted, Bishop's Stortford, Borehamwood, Bushey and Cheshunt. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Hertfordshire County Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for Hertfordshire County Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the Hertfordshire County Council area. Unlike the official Hertfordshire County Council planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking Hertfordshire County Council planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across Hertfordshire County Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 15 planning applications Hertfordshire County Council received. Of these, 100% were approved, with an average decision time of 178 days.

This is notably above the national average of approximately 87%, suggesting a relatively permissive planning environment. Applicants in Hertfordshire County Council may find that well-prepared applications have a strong chance of success.

With an average of 178 days, decisions in Hertfordshire County Council take longer than the statutory targets. Applicants should budget for a 6-month timeline and consider pre-application discussions to avoid delays.

The most common application types in Hertfordshire County Council were amendments (6), other applications (3), discharge of conditions (1).

In terms of development scale, 1 large-scale (major) development, 12 smaller schemes were submitted.

1,783 planning appeals were lodged against Hertfordshire County Council decisions, of which 498 were allowed and 1,047 were dismissed (32% success rate).

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.