Planning Minister directs district council to include seven new sites in draft plan

Pennycook had previously told the council that it must bring forward a plan that meets identified need as far as possible, reflects national policy – including in relation to Green Belt release – and is capable of being found sound at examination.

In correspondence sent in February 2026, the minister described the council’s emerging plan as “not satisfactory” and said he was not confident it would be found sound or legally compliant at examination.

The council subsequently approved the Regulation 19 version of its draft local plan at a full council meeting in January.

However, in a letter dated 18 March, Pennycook said the authority had “not engaged sufficiently” with the concerns he had raised.

He said: “It is my firm view that the available evidence demonstrates that the council’s Regulation 19 draft plan fails to propose allocating all appropriate housing sites available that could contribute towards meeting housing need. The council is therefore proposing a plan which is highly likely to be found unsound at examination.”

He added that the plan was “unsatisfactory” and that the council was failing to do something necessary in respect of plan preparation, thereby meeting the statutory test for intervention under sections 21 and 27 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Pennycook also pointed to the Planning Practice Guidance, which states that intervention under section 27 “should have regard to plan progress and local development needs”.

As a result, he has directed the council, pursuant to section 21(1)(a) of the 2004 Act, to modify its draft plan to include, as a minimum, seven additional sites, “lifting the requirement to approximately 85% of need”.

The minister directed the authority to commence a revised Regulation 19 consultation by July 2026 and to submit the plan by 30 November 2026. A series of additional directions was also issued in relation to the plan’s progression through examination and adoption.

He warned that he would consider “further action” should the council fail to comply with the directions. The letter also invited the council to set out by 25 March 2026 any exceptional circumstances which might suggest intervention is not appropriate.

Pennycook said: “I want to reiterate that I am committed to working constructively with you to ensure that Three Rivers can deliver the high-quality homes and essential infrastructure needed to underpin ambitious and sustainable growth.”

A spokesperson for the council said it is taking advice and considering its next steps, and will respond formally in due course.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “I am extremely disappointed to have received this direction from the Government. We have produced a detailed and robust plan, backed up by expert evidence. The council has been working very hard to protect our precious Green Belt and this direction will put many sites, which the council would want to save, at risk of development.

“The council is being directed to change the local plan which had already been agreed by a meeting of the full council in January. We are now requesting a meeting with the minister to discuss this matter.”

Adam Carey