22 Mar 2024
Two controversial Green Belt developments in Chiswell Green have been approved by Housing Minister Felicity Buchan.
Developers want to stick housing on Green Belt land at St Stephen’s Farm and south of Chiswell Green Lane, with up to 1,800 new residents predicted.
It is feared the developments will result in years of construction noise, traffic and pollution, local roads will be gridlocked, air quality will diminish, and these proposals will only be the tip of the iceberg for further housing on the Green Belt around the village.
A massive campaign led by non-political protest group Keep Chiswell Green resulted in the two schemes being rejected by the district council, but as expected the developers appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper then asked for the matter to be referred to the Government, as the applications could be affected by changes to national planning policy.
But today Felicity Buchan, the Minister for Housing and Homelessness, agreed to accept the appeals made by Alban Developments Ltd, Cala Homes, Redington Capital and Headlands Way for developments on the Green Belt at Chiswell Green Lane.
Reacting to the news, Daisy Cooper said: “I called on the Secretary of State to call-in these sites and halt the Planning Inquiry pending changes to the governments planning rules which we were promised would introduce new protections for Green Belt sites like these.
“It’s now abundantly clear from the Conservative government’s decision that there are no new protections for Green Belt in their so-called reforms.
“Liberal Democrats have repeatedly called for reforms to the Conservatives top-down developer led system that does not tackle our housing crisis but does destroy the Green Belt.
“The Conservatives’ new planning rules were published three months ago and are riddled with contradictions and confusion.
“I’ve asked Ministers 23 times to clarify what their intentions and meaning behind new words and phrases are, but those questions have been dodged in debates, entirely avoided in responses to written questions, and my letter has so far gone unanswered. I’ve even had to ask the Secretary of State to review whether his Minister’s refusal to give a straight answer is in breach of the Ministerial Code.
“With this decision on Chiswell Green Lane from the Secretary of State today, I’m afraid we finally have our answer. Communities deserve better than a Conservative government that says one thing and does another.”
St Albans district council leader Cllr Chris White, said: “It’s clear that despite his promises, Secretary of State Michael Gove does not want to protect the Green Belt after all. This decision is a slap in the face for the local community who objected so strongly, and for the district council who rejected these developments.
“Much needed affordable homes are always welcomed, but this council has been clear that they have to be in the right place. Developers should not be allowed to bulldoze over our green spaces on a whim, just because it’s the cheapest and easiest option.”
St Stephens district councillors added their own comments.
Cllr Giles Fry said: “This decision by the Conservative government is a real blow to Chiswell Green. Residents were united in their opposition to these developments, and as ward councillors we did everything in our power to fight the applications, and subsequent appeals. I attended the planning inquiry in May last year, to make sure the community’s voice was heard, and it’s devastating that all of Michael Gove’s promises on the Green Belt were nothing but empty rhetoric.”
Cllr Steve Cavinder said: “Residents have told me time and time again that this is simply the wrong development in the wrong place. Once again, local councillors have taken steps to protect our Green Belt for future generations, only to have our decisions reversed by Conservative Ministers.”
Cllr Ajanta Hilton, added: “First, the rail freight terminal was imposed by central government, and now they’ve backtracked on their commitment to protect our area. It’s infuriating that community voices are stifled in the Conservatives top-down planning system.”
A statement from Keep Chiswell Green will be added when it has been received.
What are the two schemes?
The scheme south of Chiswell Green Lane (ref 5/2022/0927) is by Cala Homes and for the demolition of existing structures and construction of up to 391 dwellings (Use Class C3), provision of land for a new two-form entry primary school, open space provision and associated landscaping. Internal roads, parking, footpaths, cycleways, drainage, utilities and service infrastructure and new access arrangements.
The St Stephen Farm application (5/2021/3194) , known as the Polo Field, is for the demolition of existing buildings, and the construction of up to 330 discounted affordable homes for key workers, including military personnel, the creation of open space and the construction of new accesses and highway works including new foot and cycle path and works to junctions.
