Rules to ensure residents are properly consulted on planning issues in Potters Bar have come into force.

Hertsmere Borough Councillors voted to updated their statement of community involvement to encourage people to become more involved in planning.

The authority will post applications on Twitter and Facebook to ensure council tax payers are aware of them.

Developers will be required to consult residents before they put in an application and detail their methods.

The council will also ensure all residents living near developments of 50 homes or 5,000sq m of industrial space would have their say.