St Albans residents have been asked for their views on whether Wheathampstead should be designated a Neighbourhood Plan Area.

St Albans City and District Council is inviting feedback on the application by Wheathampstead Parish Council to designate the entire parish as a Neighbourhood Plan Area which would give residents the opportunity to set out what type of development they would consider acceptable for the village.

The Localism Act 2011 gave parish councils the power to produce neighbourhood plans subject to first obtaining the district council’s approval on the area to be covered.

Councillor Julian Daly, planning portfolio holder and leader of St Albans City and District Council, said: “The district council has recently approved Neighbourhood Plan Areas for Redbourn, Colney Health, St Stephen and Sandridge following applications from their parish councils.

“We have now received a similar application from Wheathampstead Parish Council and will be making a decision on the Neighbourbood Plan Area once the consultation has ended.”

Neighbourhood plans can indicate locations for homes, transport infrastructure, community facilities and businesses. They also provide guidance on planning issues, such as the protection of local heritage.

However, neighbourhood plans must reflect the district council’s assessment of the development needs of the wider area, including housing. While the district council will allocate areas for housing through its local plan, neighbourhood plans can identify suitable locations for additional housing provided there is support locally.

The district council as the local planning authority retains the power to make decisions on individual planning applications. However, in coming to these planning decisions it must take neighbourhood plans into account, where adopted, as they form part of the local development plan.

At a meeting on Thursday, June 25, cabinet heard that residents have until 5pm on Sunday, July 12, to comment on Wheathampstead Parish Council’s application at: http://stalbans-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning_policy/.

The Cabinet meeting on Thursday, June 25, was webcast and can be watched on the Council’s website at: http://www.stalbans.ukcouncil.net/site/. The papers for the meeting are available at: http://stalbans.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=7759&Ver=4.