Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, has formally intervened in Three Rivers District Council’s emerging Local Plan in Hertfordshire. In correspondence dated 18 March 2026, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, he directs the authority to revise the draft and work to fixed statutory milestones. (gov.uk)
The intervention relies on powers in sections 21 and 27 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, which allow the Secretary of State to direct changes where a plan is unsatisfactory and to act where an authority is failing to do something necessary for plan preparation. A prior ‘holding direction’ was issued under section 21A while intervention was considered. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
The Department’s decision follows earlier correspondence. On 14 November 2025 the Minister warned the council to bring forward a plan capable of being found sound. On 5 February 2026 he imposed a temporary direction preventing any step towards adoption ahead of a Regulation 19 consultation scheduled for 6 February 2026, citing a draft that met only 56% of need with a shortfall exceeding 5,000 homes. The latest letter also notes the Full Council vote on 27 January 2026 to approve consultation on the Regulation 19 draft. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Exercising section 21(1)(a), the Minister directs Three Rivers to modify its Regulation 19 draft to include specified allocations and to lift planned provision to around 85% of identified housing need. The direction names Kings Langley Estate (south, CFS26a), Rousebarn Lane (CFS21), East Green Street (PCS4), land south of Little Oxhey Lane (PCS47), land east of Oxhey Lane (NCFS12) and land east of Watford Road (NCFS6), with Batchworth Golf Course (OSPF22) also identified subject to lease issues being resolved. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
The council is further required to review and update its evidence base so the modified plan is ready for consultation and submission. The new section 21 direction supersedes the earlier section 21A holding direction. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Section 27 directions set the timetable: commence a revised Regulation 19 consultation by 31 July 2026 for a minimum of six weeks; submit the plan by 30 November 2026; and report progress to officials monthly. The council is directed not to withdraw the plan, to progress it through examination, to publish the Inspector’s recommendations and reasons, and then to consider adoption including any main modifications necessary to achieve soundness. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Under section 15(4), the council must also publish a revised Local Development Scheme by 30 June 2026 reflecting these milestones. The Department states the intention is to avoid further delay and ensure submission before the December 2026 deadline referenced in the letter. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
The Minister concludes the Regulation 19 draft has not allocated all appropriate sites capable of contributing to need and would be highly likely to fail at examination. He notes the adopted plan dates from October 2011, making it among the oldest in England and leaving the area exposed to piecemeal, speculative development and to further delay if work must restart under the reformed system. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
On delivery and affordability, the letter highlights a 2023 Housing Delivery Test score of 30%-the fifth lowest nationally-which engages the presumption in favour of sustainable development, and an affordability ratio of 12.3 compared with an England average of 7.7. The Department judges that significant needs, particularly for social and affordable housing, are unlikely to be met without an up‑to‑date plan. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
For the planning authority, the directions introduce hard governance constraints. Withdrawal is expressly prohibited; monthly reporting begins immediately; and submission must occur by 30 November 2026. The Minister reserves the option of further action should the council fail to comply. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
For developers and site promoters, the named allocations signal the Government’s expectation that those sites feature in the Regulation 19 version. Evidence on deliverability and infrastructure should be aligned with the updated evidence base ahead of the renewed consultation and subsequent examination. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
For residents and community groups, a minimum six‑week consultation is mandated to start by 31 July 2026, and the Inspector’s recommendations must be published and considered for adoption at the end of the process. The council has been invited to submit by 25 March 2026 any exceptional circumstances it believes argue against intervention; this does not alter or remove the direction now in force. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)