Government

Local Plan & Reg 19 timeline

We are still awaiting news about Reg 19 – there is an impasse between the Government and Three Rivers District Council. For those who don’t know or are new the area, here is a timeline of the most recent events so far:

Timeline

DateEventDecisionStage
TodayStill awaiting news!
25 Mar 2026TRDC letter responding to MinisterIntervention deemed inappropriate and should be withdrawnThree Rivers District Council response
18 Mar 2026Minister issues Intervention LetterNine directions issued to the CouncilGovernment intervention
19 Feb 2026TRDC explanatory note sent to MinisterEvidence to Government submittedThree Rivers District Council response
5 Feb 2026Minister issues Holding Direction letterRegulation 19 & consultation paused due to only 56% of housing requirement metGovernment intervention
27 Jan 2026Extraordinary Full Council agree Reg 19
Part 1 & Part 2 documents		TRDC approved draft Local Plan for Reg 19 consultation based on Evidence baseThree Rivers District Council decision

Further information from Three Rivers District Council website:

New Local Plan: https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/planning/planning-policy/new-local-plan?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Joint Residents’ Association responses to Government intervention:

First open letter to Gagan Mohindra MP from Three Rivers Joint Residents’ Association (JRA)

Second open letter responding to Gagan’s position from Joint Residents’ Association

By R.D.R.A., ago

Final consultation about council reorganistion is here. Deadline: 26 March.

A statutory consultation from Central Government begins.

Local Government Reorganisation proposals
Local Government Reorganisation proposals

After the previous consultation held by Three Rivers District Council, we know that TRDC prefers two. But Central Government would also like to hear from all residents about what they think about the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – two, three or four unitary authorities.

Please read more about it and find survey link below:
https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Click green map below to zoom in.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Planning Reform Consultation, deadline 10th March

The government has published updated national design guidance to improve the quality of new housing and neighbourhoods in England, supporting wider planning reforms and the delivery of 1.5 million homes this Parliament. The guidance sets clear expectations for well-designed, walkable and climate-resilient neighbourhoods, with homes close to local services, adaptable layouts, strong local character, high-quality public spaces and better integration of nature. It is intended to speed up planning decisions by giving councils and developers a shared design framework, with further model design codes to follow, and is open for consultation until 10 March 2026.

Read in-depth information before completing consultation: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-design-guidance-to-raise-the-bar-for-new-build-developments

Consultation: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/national-planning-policy-framework-proposed-reforms-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system

By R.D.R.A., ago

IMPORTANT: Local Plan Reg 19 Suspended

On 5th February, a letter from Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook has been sent to the Leader of Three Rivers District Council Stephen Medhurst ahead of the Regulation 19 consultation on the new local plan.

The Minister raises serious concerns that the council’s emerging plan proposes to meet only 56% of its assessed housing need, leaving a shortfall of more than 5,000 homes, and that there is little public justification for this. He warns that the plan is therefore at high risk of being found unsound or legally non-compliant at examination.

Because of these concerns, the Minister is using powers under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to issue a “holding direction,” preventing the council from taking any steps toward adopting the plan while the government considers whether further intervention is necessary.

He requests the full set of documents and evidence intended for the Regulation 19 consultation by 19 February 2026, and encourages the council to work constructively with government officials going forward.

Read Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook full letter here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/three-rivers-district-council-local-plan-holding-direction-letter/three-rivers-district-council-local-plan-holding-direction-letter

Read Independent District Councillor Rue Grewal’s response here:
https://rickmansworthresidents.org/2026/02/why-ive-written-to-the-minister-and-why-im-not-giving-up/

By R.D.R.A., ago