St Albans includes the city centre, Harpenden, and Sandridge. About 81.5% of the district is Green Belt, shaping urban edges and protecting villages. Known for Roman history, heritage streets, and market towns, planning focuses on residential, commercial, and conversion projects.
In the last year St Albans decided 1,375 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 86% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 38% of applications were decided on time, (significantly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how St Albans performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 81.5% of St Albans is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt surrounding Harpenden, Redbourn, and St Albans itself is sensitive due to settlement separation and safeguarding rolling countryside on the edge of the Chilterns.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Alongside acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We advise on and prepare planning applications across a range of development types, including:
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
St Albans includes the city centre, Harpenden, and Sandridge. About 81.5% of the district is Green Belt, shaping urban edges and protecting villages. Known for Roman history, heritage streets, and market towns, planning focuses on residential, commercial, and conversion projects.
In the last year St Albans decided 1,375 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 86% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 38% of applications were decided on time, (significantly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how St Albans performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 81.5% of St Albans is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt surrounding Harpenden, Redbourn, and St Albans itself is sensitive due to settlement separation and safeguarding rolling countryside on the edge of the Chilterns.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Alongside acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We advise on and prepare planning applications across a range of development types, including:
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
