Welwyn Parish Council are currently developing a Neighbourhood Plan. This is a new power available to local councils, introduced by the Localism Act 2011, which enables the Parish to influence more strongly the future type and location of development within the Parish. While its main focus is housing development it also influences transport, health provision, the environment and green spaces and carbon neutrality.

It also means that WPC, with the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), if in possession of an adopted Neighbourhood Plan, would be entitled to a payment of 25% uncapped.  Without a plan it would receive a payment equal to 15% capped to £100 per dwelling.

WPC set up a working group to develop the Plan and WPAG are involved with this.

The progress of the Plan is listed on WPC website here. A questionnaire was sent to all the households in the Parish to start the process from which draft policies were created. These were then discussed at open workshops and the draft plan is now being prepared prior to public consultation.