Politics
Planning and Infrastructure Bill Sets 2027 Start Date for St Albans Development Levies
St Albans residents will see new infrastructure contributions applied to planning permissions from April 2027 onward under the phased rollout.
How we reported this
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill requires local authorities to apply revised levy rates on new residential and commercial projects. St Albans City and District Council must integrate the changes into its planning process by the start of the 2027 financial year.
National government legislation passed earlier this year directs councils to update contribution schedules within twelve months. St Albans sits in the first wave of authorities because its current local plan expires in 2028. Policy analysts say the timing aligns with the next round of Hertfordshire-wide infrastructure assessments due in late 2026.
When residents encounter the changes
Developers submitting applications after 1 April 2027 will calculate payments using the new formula. This affects sites near the city centre and along the A414 corridor where multiple schemes remain in the pipeline. Local advocates note that smaller extensions and self-build projects fall below the threshold and remain unaffected.
Households seeking new homes may notice higher build costs passed through to sale prices once the levy takes effect. Commuters using upgraded bus routes or cycle paths funded by the contributions could see incremental improvements begin in 2028. The legislation states that funds must be spent within five years of collection on projects listed in the council’s infrastructure delivery schedule.
Next steps in the rollout
Council officers will publish draft levy rates for consultation in September 2026. Final adoption is projected to occur by March 2027. The government says the policy will generate additional revenue streams for Hertfordshire authorities once fully operational, with St Albans District expected to receive its first allocations in the 2028-29 financial year.