Planning Representation

We attend planning meetings for local projects, advocating for issues that affect Hertford and its residents.


Local resident Anna Staton commented on the contribution of Hertford Civic Society to the Hartham Leisure Centre project: 

'Being involved in the Civic Society enabled us to question the architects and their design proposal for the Hartham Leisure Centre. This ensured the project both supported and contributed to Hertford's heritage while serving its residents' 

Planning Representation

Basic guide to making a comment or objection on a planning application
See below 1 Finding the site, 2 Commenting.

Introduction: The civic society has 60 years of combined experience dealing with planning and licensing issues. With this experience we keep a watchful eye on application to ensure the preservation of the conservation areas and spaces of beauty and historical value.

1 Finding the site

If you become aware, as an individual, of a planning application that causes you concern the first thing to do is to make a note of the postcode of the application site. If you are alerted to the application by a notice displayed on the site, that notice will provide you with an application number.

Apart from applications for mineral extraction and associated activities and applications to do with recycling of waste, waste treatment and waste disposal, all planning applications in and around Hertford are dealt with by the East Herts Council.

To examine the details of an application type “East Herts Council” into Google (click), on the EHDC Home Page scroll down to the yellow box with the heading “Planning and Building.”

  • Click on the line reading “Object and Comment on Applications”
  • On the page that will be displayed Click on the brown line that reads –
  • Object, Comment or View a Planning Application online using Planning Public Access
  • This will lead you to a screen titled “Planning – Simple Search”
  • Type the word “Current” into the box annotated Status
  • Type the post code or application number into the box annotated “Enter a keyword, …”
  • The display will provide the application number and a description of the Proposal
  • Below the description of the proposal a line of boxes includes “Make a Comment”
  • Click on this box when you are ready to type out your comment, representation or objection.
  • Fill in on the display your name, postal address, telephone number and email address.
  • Indicate your “Commenter Type” (e.g. ”Member of the Public”)
  • Also indicate your “Stance” – Object / Support / Neutral
  • A “BOX” is provided below the “Stance” line for you to type in your comments,
  • representations or objections.

In deciding your views to put forward to the Council you will need to study the details of the application.
Scroll back to the Application Number and details of the proposal. The second line below these includes a tab labelled “Documents”. Click on this tab.

The resulting display will list the documents.
In order to study any of the documents click the small box on the left-hand side of the document title (resulting in a green tick) and click on the “View” icon on the right of the document title.
Documents of particular interest are likely to be the Application Form, the Location Plan, the Existing and Proposed Block Plans and Existing and Proposed Floor Plans and Elevations.
Other documents that should be studied are the “Design and Access Statement” and any correspondence submitted with the application (by or on behalf of the applicant).
Once submitted your views will included amongst the documents associated with the application.
Your comments, representations or objections should take into account and refer to the planning policies of the Council contained in the Adopted East Herts District Plan 2018.
The document containing these policies can be accessed and studied by typing “East Herts District Plan” into Google.
Of particular relevance to any planning application in or near Hertford will be Part 1 Chapter 7 “Hertford (HERT Policies)” It is important to examine the detailed and precise wording of the Policies.
Different Chapters in Part 2 will be relevant depending on the subject of the Planning application (e.g. housing, retail, transport, community facilities, leisure and recreation) on which you are submitting comments, representations or objections.
Other Part 2 Chapters should be taken into account in your comments including Design and Landscape, Natural Environment, Heritage Assets, Environmental Quality.
Broader topics covered in Part 2 Chapters that should be taken into consideration by an individual commenting on a planning application are Economic Development, Climate Change and Water.

2 Make a Comment

Find out how to comment on planning applications

If you become aware, as an individual, of a planning application that causes you concern the first thing to do is to make a note of the postcode of the application site. If you are alerted to the application by a notice displayed on the site, that notice will provide you with an application number.

Apart from applications for mineral extraction and associated activities and applications to do with recycling of waste, waste treatment and waste disposal, all planning applications in and around Hertford are dealt with by the East Herts Council.

To examine the details of an application type “East Herts Council” into Google (click), on the EHDC Home Page scroll down to the yellow box with the heading “Planning and Building”. Click on the line reading “Object and Comment on Applications”.

On the page that will be displayed click on the brown line that reads: Object, Comment or View a Planning Application online using Planning Public Access.

This will lead you to a screen titled “Planning – Simple Search”.

Type the word “Current” into the box annotated Status.
Type the post code or application number into the box annotated “Enter a keyword, ……
The display will provide the application number and a description of the Proposal.

Below the description of the proposal a line of boxes includes “Make a Comment”.
Click on this box when you are ready to type out your comment, representation or objection.

Fill in on the display your name, postal address, telephone number and email address.
Indicate your “Commenter Type” (e.g. ”Member of the Public”).
Also indicate your “Stance” – Object / Support / Neutral

A “BOX” is provided below the “Stance” line for you to type in your comments, representations or objections.

In deciding your views to put forward to the Council you will need to study the details of the application. Scroll back to the Application Number and details of the proposal. The second line below these includes a tab labelled “Documents”. Click on this tab.

The resulting display will list the documents. In order to study any of the documents click the small box on the left-hand side of the document title (resulting in a green tick) and click on the “View” icon on the right of the document title.

Documents of particular interest are likely to be the Application Form, the Location Plan, the Existing and Proposed Block Plans and Existing and Proposed Floor Plans and Elevations.

Other documents that should be studied are the “Design and Access Statement” and any correspondence submitted with the application (by or on behalf of the applicant).

Once submitted your views will be included amongst the documents associated with the application.

Your comments, representations or objections should take into account and refer to the planning policies of the Council contained in the Adopted East Herts District Plan 2018. The document containing these policies can be accessed and studied by typing “East Herts District Plan” into Google.

Of particular relevance to any planning application in or near Hertford will be Part 1 Chapter 7 “Hertford (HERT Policies)” It is important to examine the detailed and precise wording of the Policies.

Different Chapters in Part 2 will be relevant depending on the subject of the Planning application (e.g. housing, retail, transport, community facilities, leisure and recreation) on which you are submitting comments, representations or objections.

Other Part 2 Chapters should be taken into account in your comments including Design and Landscape, Natural Environment, Heritage Assets, Environmental Quality.

Broader topics covered in Part 2 Chapters that should be taken into consideration by an individual commenting on a planning application are Economic Development, Climate Change and Water.

 

About Hertford

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Local Civic Society Events

Through our series of talks, we share our network of associates' breadth of historical, architectural, and local knowledge.

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Transport Plans

Air quality, the environment, and improving the quality of life for residents across generations are issues that The Civic Society approaches with direct effect. We are focused on improving the livability and sustainability of Hertford with efforts such as Hertford Bypass and A414 Traffic, and Mass Rapid Transport Systems. Safe Travel to Schools, Cycle Paths, See ideas here and ring along your own for campaigning projects.

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Local Campaigns & Lobbying

The welfare and happiness of local residents is a top priority of the Hertford Civic Society. Our duty is to help you campaign and lobby for the maintenance and preservation of the community.

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Our Green Belt

Hertford Civic Society is committed to conserving our rich, natural environment, making sure our environment enhances residents' and visitors’ experiences.

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Local Environmental Issues (Pollution)

We focus on prioritising areas of natural beauty, improving air quality, and promoting the growth of native trees and wildlife. We are lucky to have our four chalk rivers, which provide natural leisure and relaxation areas. We are dedicated to the continuous improvement and maintenance of these areas. We are also committed to implementing more cycle lanes to decrease pollution and maintain our green belt.

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Hertford Civic Society Policies

We provide updates and news on local and national policies relevant to our work at the Hertford Civic Society.

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Licensing Applications

Our priority is to preserve and conserve areas of beauty and historical value. The Civic Society has 60 years of experience dealing with planning and licensing issues. Join us and help as we examine and comment on planning applications and major developments.

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Green Fingers

We support and campaign to retain and protect Green Belt land and the recognition of Hertford’s ‘Green Fingers’, first designated in the Local Plan by HCS submissions. We continue to recognise the importance of Green Fingers’ role in various town policies, focusing on their crucial benefits for residents and the environment.

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Hertford Fountain

Hertford Fountain was opened in 1994 after a competition for the fountain’s design and construction was won by William Pye. The fountain depicts the intertwining four rivers flowing through Hertford’s green spaces.

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Architectural Awards

We regularly run architectural awards, recognising excellence in build and renovation design.

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Hertford Plaques

Take a tour of HCS Hertford blue plaques highlight buildings of merit.

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Bengeo Quarry

We provided instrumental support to prevent the Bengeo Quarry's development. In April 2019, the Secretary of State agreed with the Government Inspector that the appeal should be dismissed and planning permission be refused. This was a great triumph for the local community and surrounding environment.

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Happy Healthy Hertford

Hertford Civic Society is committed to promoting a happy, healthy Hertford. Our focus is on maintaining a natural, sustainable environment and ensuring residents' happiness is our top priority.

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Local Environmental Initiatives

Hertford Civic Society supports and celebrates the environmental improvements and campaigning initiated by other agencies across Hertford, with a special focus on green agendas.

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Previous Talks

To ensure community concerns are addressed, we provide a platform for information and discussion, with talks from our specially selected guest speakers.

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Newsletters Archive

Our newsletters are issued periodically and focus on town issues and events, letting you know how we are involved.

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Local Leisure Facilities

Hertford Civic Society is committed to the promotion and improvement of local leisure facilities across Hertford. We work to ensure the community's culture is maintained, and green spaces are prioritised.

Send Us A Message

Use our contact form to send us a message and one of the team will be in touch.