A proposal to build 3,750 homes between Borehamwood and Shenley has been removed from Hertsmere Borough Council’s emerging Local Plan following public consultation, according to the council’s September 29 announcement and its updated planning documents. The decision forms part of a wider revision that has taken four major housing extensions, with a combined capacity of 6,752 homes, out of the proposed plan. The Well End development was among the sites reconsidered after residents, community groups and other stakeholders raised concerns during a six-week consultation held between April 16 and May 29, 2026. The council said it had reviewed thousands of submissions before revising its proposals, according to The Borehamwood Post. Alongside Well End, the council has removed the proposed Mutton Lane extension in Potters Bar, which was earmarked for 1,750 homes; Compass Park in Bushey, planned for 802 homes; and land at Battlers Green Farm in Radlett, which had capacity for 450 homes. Together, the four sites account for 6,752 proposed homes. The changes represent a significant revision to the borough’s development strategy, although they do not mean Hertsmere has abandoned its wider housing plans.
Thousands of responses shape revised housing proposals
The consultation drew 6,374 individual responses, according to the consultation figures reported by The Borehamwood Post. Of these, 4,733 were based on templates prepared by community groups, highlighting the role organised local campaigns played in the process. Residents had raised concerns about the scale of proposed development and whether roads, schools, healthcare services and other infrastructure could adequately support additional housing. The council’s revised plan retains provisions for community facilities, including schools and medical centres, at selected development sites.The removal of Well End is particularly significant for the area between Borehamwood and Shenley, where the proposed extension would have brought thousands of additional homes to land outside the existing built-up area. However, the decision applies to the council’s emerging Local Plan rather than ruling out every future development proposal. Individual planning applications can still be submitted and considered through the planning system.
Revised plan still includes 14,390 homes
Despite dropping the four extensions, Hertsmere’s proposed Local Plan retains capacity for at least 14,390 net additional homes between 2026 and 2041. The figures are outlined in the council’s Regulation 19 plan and were also reported by planning news publication Planning Geek on October 8.Borehamwood and Elstree account for 3,413 homes, the largest share among the borough’s areas. Potters Bar has provision for 3,049 homes, followed by Bushey with 2,793 and Radlett with 2,635. A proposed new settlement at Bowmans Cross accounts for another 2,500 homes during the plan period, with the longer-term development expected to accommodate at least 5,000 homes in total.The remaining proposals include redevelopment and higher-density housing on existing urban sites, alongside selected development on land around the borough’s towns. The council has also identified provisions for new schools, healthcare facilities, transport improvements and green spaces to support growth.
Local Plan enters formal consultation stage
Hertsmere councillors approved the publication of the revised plan at an extraordinary full council meeting on October 7. The Regulation 19 publication period opened the following day, giving residents, businesses and other interested parties six weeks to submit formal representations.The consultation closes at 11.59pm on November 19, 2026. Comments must address whether the proposed plan complies with legal requirements and whether it is sound, with any suggested changes explained. Following the consultation, the plan is due to return to the full council for consideration before submission for independent examination by the government’s Planning Inspectorate. The council is aiming to submit it by December 31, 2026, to remain within the existing plan-making system.Although the removal of Well End and the three other extensions marks a substantial change to Hertsmere’s housing strategy, the borough’s wider development programme remains in place. The next stage will determine whether the revised proposals meet planning requirements and can proceed towards adoption.