Developers looking to create up to 520 new homes and a primary school on land in Harpenden have submitted a planning application known as 'scoping opinion'.

The site is located on land between Bower Heath Lane and Common Lane with houses to the south and an equestrian centre at the north east of the site.

The proposed site of the Harpenden development.The proposed site of the Harpenden development. (Image: Google Maps) Plans would see a residential development of up to 520 units, 60 bed extra care facility, new neighbourhood centre for commercial/community use and a two-form entry primary school - including early years provision.

In a report included with the application, developers Crest Nicholson Partnerships and Strategic Land confirm that: "This report has been prepared to accompany a request for an EIA Scoping Opinion from St Albans City and District Council (SADC) with respect to the outline planning application for a residential development".

The scoping opinion application is a request to SADC to consider an Environmental Impact Assessment of the site, gauging the thoughts of council officers.

Although not an official proposal, the plans are a thorough assessment of the site that may be subject to future development. 

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The report by Stantec "sets out the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment scoping study undertaken by the project team and accompanies a request for a Scoping Opinion submitted to SADC."

It identifies a number of ecological designations which are close to the site including the hamlet of Bower Heath to the immediate south; an equestrian centre and Porters Hill Park.

In a decision notice, the council supplied feedback on the application highlighting "population and human health, landscape character and visual amenity, biodiversity, transport and access, noise and vibration, air quality, climate change and waste" as key points for the environmental assessment.

An official site map from the developers.An official site map from the developers. (Image: Stantec) SADC said the development would "support jobs and provide employment" but these would likely be taken up by "people outside the district".

Due to the scale of the proposal, SADC also recommended that climate change formed a key element of the environmental assessment as there is potential for "significant environmental effects".

Waste produce was identified for the same reason.

To view the application go to SADC's planning portal and search for 5/2024/1602.