An attempt to build 330 homes for key workers in the countryside has been knocked back by a council.
A planning committee felt the plans for the “discounted and affordable” properties in Chiswell Green did not justify “concreting” over green belt land.
St Stephen’s Farm owner and former boxer Steve Collins said his Addison Park development is a “direct response to the local housing affordability crisis".
But at a St Albans District Council meeting on October 17, councillors were unconvinced the homes would be affordable enough for the target market, which includes military personnel, emergency service workers, and teachers.
Mr Collins said the 330 houses and flats earmarked on his former polo field off Chiswell Green Lane would each be discounted by a third, with properties predominantly available for shared ownership.
Read more: Ex-boxer wants to build affordable homes in Chiswell Green for key workers
His planning agent Brian Parker told councillors he expected some opposition, he thought it would “enjoy a better reception than most” – but said he “could not have been more wrong”.
Around 480 objections were lodged by residents in Chiswell Green with numerous concerns put forward.
This included “inappropriate” development in the green belt, loss of views, that Chiswell Green would become a town, loss of village character, question marks over the level of affordability, increased pressure on local services, traffic, and overdevelopment. There were also fears Addison Park could “set a precedent” for similar schemes in the green belt.
Chiswell Green Residents Association, St Albans and District Footpaths Association, CPRE The Countryside Charity Hertfordshire, St Albans Civic Society, and campaign group Keep Chiswell Green also objected.
Jed Griffiths from Keep Chiswell Green, and a Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute, spoke at the meeting against the application along with St Stephen district Liberal Democrat councillors Ajanta Hilton and Giles Fry.
While recognising the need for new homes, they suggested this was not a suitable nor sustainable location for such a development, citing a lack of public transport and importance of green belt.
Councillors unanimously agreed with the planning officer’s recommendation to refuse the outline planning application – which was that the scheme did not demonstrate “very special circumstances” to justify building in the green belt.
The decision was met with applause from residents who attended the meeting.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here