Call for Sites

East Herts Council is currently preparing the new Local Plan. This ‘Call for Sites’ is an opportunity for landowners, developers, agents, and site promoters to submit sites which are considered to have the potential for future development. We also welcome the submission of other sites that could contribute to nature enhancement and recovery in East Herts.

It should be noted that the Call for Sites is a process to assess locations that could potentially be brought forward for development in the future – submission of a site does not in any way confirm that it will be selected.

A previous Call for Sites was run in Summer 2024, where over 280 sites were submitted. These sites are in the process of being assessed. A report detailing the assessments will be published in due course. To view a summary of the sites submitted previously, please view this report.

The Council is opening a second Call for Sites to support the preparation of the new Local Plan. This is a further opportunity for land owners and interested bodies to submit sites which could be suitable for potential development or nature recovery and enhancement.

We ask that you do not submit a site to us if you have already submitted it in the 2024 Call for Sites, unless there have been material changes to the site boundary or to key information that affects its availability or suitability. This is to ensure there are no duplicates and allow officers to assess the sites more efficiently.

This consultation runs from Thursday 15 October to Thursday 26 November 2026.

The new Local Plan will need to identify enough land to meet future requirements. Sites can be submitted for a number of possible uses (or a mix of possible uses), including those listed below:

  • Housing and employment
  • Traveller sites
  • Community facilities
  • Habitat creation and enhancement
  • Infrastructure and energy

Submitting a Site for Consideration

  • We would welcome the early submission of sites where possible. Submissions made towards the end of the six week period may experience technical difficulties owing to high numbers of users seeking to submit information.
  • Please complete a separate online form for each site using the submission portal.
  • You must provide the precise boundaries of the site, either by drawing or uploading within the online form.
  • You must give your name and contact details for your site to be considered.
  • Only submit sites that are wholly or partially within the district boundary.
  • Only submit sites that you have an interest in and that you believe have genuine potential to be developed over the next 15 to 20 years.
  • Submitted sites must have an area of at least 0.25 hectares or be capable of accommodating 5+ dwellings or 500+ sqm of employment floorspace.
  • All sites may be included in future public consultation exercises necessary for the new Local Plan and so cannot be kept confidential.
  • In completing this form, you are giving permission for a representative of the Council to access the site with or without prior notice in order to determine its sustainability.
  • Please note that the Call for Sites request is part of the plan making process and is entirely separate from the planning application process.
  • For more information on how to complete the form, please refer to the FAQs. 

Call for Sites Submission Portal

  • Please complete the submission form in one session. You will be unable to save the form and return to it at a later date. 
  • For further guidance on completing the online form please read our instruction guide.
  • To view the questions in advance of completing the form, please see the list of questions here.

Please note that all submissions must be made using the link above. If you have any issues with the Call for Sites form, please contact the Planning Policy team by email callforsites@eastherts.gov.uk.

What Happens Next?

A detailed assessment of all the sites and proposed uses will be made in due course, to determine whether they are suitable, available, and achievable. This will be an ongoing process as the Council progresses the new Local Plan. All submissions will be made publicly available on our website. Sites put forward are suggestions and are not allocated and may not be supported in planning applications.

The Call for Sites is a key part of the new Local Plan preparation. To find out more about the new Local Plan process and timetable, please follow the links.

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