The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) was the regional planning body and was responsible for the preparation and implementation of a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), known in this region as the East of England Plan.

East of England Plan 2001 - 2021

The East of England Plan sets out a strategy to guide the pattern of development for the East of England region to 2021. It identifies Stevenage as a key centre for development and change. The plan states that a minimum of 16,000 new homes should be provided in and around the town between 2001 and 2021. At least 6,400 of these are to be provided within Stevenage and a further 9,600 in new neighbourhoods outside the Borough boundary in North Hertfordshire, to the west and north of the town.

The plan was adopted in May 2008.

Hertfordshire Structue Plan

The Hertfordshire Structure Plan continues to exist and it will have statutory force until the Local Development Frameworks are in place. Under a 2007 direction by the Secretary of State, 11 policies were saved within the Structure Plan.

For further information please see the Hertfordshire County Council website.