St Albans District Council has challenged an inspector’s conclusion it has not met its duty to co-operate while drawing up its Strategic Local Plan (SLP).

The council started legal proceedings last Thursday (January 5) against Sajid Javid, the secretary for communities and local government to quash the decision.

Last year, the council submitted its draft SLP for approval to the department for communities and local government (DCLG).

The DCLG appointed David Hogger, a planning inspector, to examine it, so he held an initial hearing on October 26 and sent the council his conclusions on 28 November.

He concluded the council had not met its duty to co-operate with neighbouring planning authorities while drawing up the SLP.

After taking legal advice, the council has decided to take legal action against Mr Javid.

It has applied to the High Court for permission to seek a judicial review of his inspector’s decision and a judge will consider the application in the next few weeks.

Council leader Cllr Julian Daly said: “The council believes the inspector’s conclusion we did not meet the duty to co-operate is flawed.

“We are therefore seeking a judicial review of the decision and look forward to having our case heard.

“However, we remain committed to meeting with the councils which raised concerns so we can understand and address their positions.

“I will continue to work closely with the other parties’ spokespeople in the development of the council’s approach.”

The SLP sets out policies on development in St Albans until 2031, identifying land for new housing, infrastructure, commerce, industry and social amenities.

It was produced following two intensive public consultations.