A Local Plan for the sustainable growth of St Albans District over the next 15 years has been adopted.
Councillors voted 41 to three with seven absentions to approve the Local Plan following a successful two year-long examination by Planning Inspectors.
The Local Plan identifies land for future development and allows for the building of 15,000 new homes, including 1,200 social rent properties, at carefully selected sites.
It also provides for £750 million of new infrastructure including eight primary schools, four secondary schools, public transport improvements, green spaces and health facilities.
New commercial areas, with the potential to create thousands of jobs have also been located and there are measures to tackle climate change.
Three properties linked to drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in St Albans District have been served with Closure Orders.
Our Anti-Social Behaviour Team acted after complaints and gathered evidence before obtaining the orders from St Albans Magistrates' Court.
It means that anyone entering the properties over the next three months without permission faces prosecution.
One property was linked to drug dealing, excessive noise and anti-social behaviour and the other flats were linked to drug dealing through cuckooing.
This practice involves criminals taking advantage of a vulnerable person and using their home for criminal activities.
Photo: Anti-Social Behaviour Officer, Carmel Sheringham-Ford, left, and Housing Officer, Sarah Mcgee, serve a Closure Order.
We are looking to sign up volunteer tree wardens to help care for and champion trees within their neighbourhood.
This recruitment drive follows a successful pilot scheme in the Cunningham area of St Albans.
The volunteers from across the District will receive training and support to monitor newly-planted trees, assist with watering, report damage and undertake other activities that contribute to the District's tree population.
Trees play a vital role in tackling climate change as they improve air quality and provide valuable habitats for wildlife.
Our Environmental Protection Team reunited a family with their children's precious toys and belonging after discovering them in a fly-tip.
The team were investigating the tip in Harpenden when they discovered that the toys had been thrown from a stolen car.
Among the items were a child's violin, family photos, books, sports equipment and drawing materials.
The team traced the owners and returned the treasured possessions, many of which had high sentimental value.
 We are upgrading our online planning system to provide a more efficient service for residents and businesses.
While improvements are being made between Thursday 8 to Sunday 26 October, planning applications on our website will only be available in read-only mode. It will not be possible to comment on applications via the website.
Any updates, comments or other changes made during this period will not be visible.
New planning applications can continue to be submitted as normal through the planning portal.
Consultation periods will be extended where necessary to ensure that all statutory requirements are met and there is an appropriate opportunity to comment.
Apologies for any inconvenience as we complete these important improvements.
Harpenden Leisure Centre’s gym has had a £250,000 refurbishment - with new equipment and an extended recovery area.
The upgrade was shaped by 12 months of data that gave an insight into how members use the gym.
To meet their needs, the amount of strength equipment was increased by around 20 per cent, reflecting a shift towards this type of training.
The leisure centre is owned by the Council and managed by our partners, Everyone Active.
We have changed the terms for renting our garages so they can now be used for general storage as well as parking a vehicle.
This follows requests by residents for us to be more flexible about how we allow our garages to be used.
Our garage sites offer competitive rental rates and are located throughout the District including London Colney, Wheathampstead, Harpenden, Redbourn and St Albans.
If you are interested in renting a garage, you can view available locations and make an enquiry on your MyStAlbans account by clicking the button below.
We are consulting on renewing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering St Albans City Centre.
The PSPO allows the Police to act against street drinking as well as associated crime and anti-social behaviour.
Since March 2026, the Police have used the order to seize alcohol on 122 occasions.
The consultation runs until Thursday 1 October and all feedback will be considered before any decision is taken.
St Albans District Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for local good causes.
At least 60p from each £1 ticket that you buy goes to a good cause of your choosing - and there is the chance to win up to £25,000!
There is also an opportunity to win a brand-new iPhone in the Autumn Super Draw on Saturday 31 October.
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We are holding another informative Landlord Forum on Tuesday 27 October.
This is a chance for landlords throughout the District and beyond to network and hear about important legislative and housing issues.
Our Mosaic Lettings team will be in attendance to talk about the new incentives they are offering to landlords and there will be a Q&A session on the Renters' Rights Act.
Our housing repairs contractor Morgan Sindall Property Services is giving residents the chance to complete courses in retrofitting properties.
The training programme could equip you with the skills and industry-recognised qualifications needed to get a job in the growing retrofit sector.
Together with Hertfordshire Futures and The Retrofit Academy, they are providing the Level 3 Domestic Energy Advisor and Level 4 Retrofit Assessor Courses, free of charge.
To be eligible, you need to be aged 19 or older, a Herts resident and have a driver’s licence. The courses start on Monday 12 October.
More and more people are installing solar panels to reduce energy bills at their home as well as their carbon footprint.
One option that has gained in popularity this year are plug-in solar kits.
These differ from permanent rooftop systems as they are small, self-contained units that can connect to a household plug socket. They can be used on a balcony, garden wall or fence.
To find out more about the benefits of solar power and how you can bring it to your home, visit our renewable energy webpage.
The Government is to review its plans to reorganise the structure of local government across Hertfordshire and some other counties.
The current two-tier system of District and County Councils was due to be abolished and replaced with unitary authorities. This move has been paused to allow for the review whilst elections next May for shadow authorities have been cancelled.
You can find out more - including a statement from Angie Ridgwell, Senior Responsible Officer for the Hertfordshire reorganisation programme - by clicking the button below.
A former St Albans Mayor has presented three life-saving defibrillators to the charity Community First Responders.
Councillor Teresa Heritage raised £4,760 for her charity appeal during her civic year as Mayor of St Albans City and District which ended in May this year.
The money has now been used to buy the defibrillators as well as two special manikins for use by trainers to simulate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Community First Responders are trained volunteers dispatched by ambulance services to provide vital care during the first minutes of a 999 medical emergency.
Cllr Heritage donated an additional £565 from her charity appeal to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Photo: Former Mayor, Cllr Teresa Heritage, 2nd from right, and former Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sue Griffiths, 3rd from right, present the defibrillators.
Don't miss out on Homes and Interiors Week – a celebration in St Albans of design and inspiration.
The event runs from until Sunday 20 September offering an action-packed programme of events staged by local businesses.
There are exclusive promotions, expert advice sessions, in-store experiences and other special events.
You will be able to meet industry experts, discover the latest interior design trends and receive home improvement tips.
Click on the button below for more information and a programme schedule.
Don't forget - our Housing and Resident Engagement teams are visiting our tenants and leaseholders across Redbourn on Wednesday 16 September.
This is a chance to speak face-to-face to them and raise issues such as an outstanding repair or an idea to improve a service.
The teams, who will be wearing lanyard ID, will be knocking on doors from 3pm to 5pm. If you complete a short survey, you will be entered into a prize draw for a £50 shopping voucher.
New exhibition - Accessories: Wearing Your Story, Friday 11 September to Sunday 31 January 2027, Keeper’s Galleries, St Albans Muse + Gallery, Free
Discover a vast range of accessories from our collection from badges to watches and see photos of local St Albans residents proudly sharing the accessories they wear.
English Magic and Witchcraft, Wednesday 16 September, 7pm, St Albans Museum + Gallery, in-person £10, zoom £6
Explore the beliefs of people in later medieval and early modern England and find out more about some magical practices throughout history with Dr Tabitha Stanmore.
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Verulamium Museum Archives Curator Tour, Thursday 17 September, 2:30pm, £20, booking required
A unique chance to go behind the scenes with Curator David Thorold and visit the Verulamium Museums archives.
Heritage Open Day: Verulamium Museum, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, Free
Free entry to Verulamium Museum to discover coins, objects and mosaics from everyday Roman life in Verulamium.
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Honouring Our Communities Railing Exhibition, Monday 28 September to Tuesday 1 December, St Albans Museum + Gallery
The Black History Research Group will be displaying a new mural painting to mark this year's Black History Month theme, Honouring Our Communities. Designed by artist Aisha Adi with ideas from the local community.
St Albans Healthy Hub, located at the Civic Centre, is the place to go for health and wellbeing advice and support.
You can get help with many issues including how to lose weight, quit smoking, cut down on alcohol, become more active and manage money.
The organisations involved include Citizens Advice, Communities 1st, Mind in Mid Herts and many more. You'll find more information on the Healthy Hub webpages.
We are supporting Sober October – a campaign aimed at reducing alcohol harm in the UK.
Challenge yourself to go alcohol-free for 31 days next month and experience the benefits.
You can also encourage your friends to take part and raise funds for Alcohol Change UK.
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