10 May 2024
Campaign group Keep Chiswell Green is offering residents the chance to discuss some of the contentious planning applications affecting the district.
A public meeting this weekend will shed a light on what is happening with the challenge to the Secretary of State’s decision to approve the appeals by Cala Homes and Headlands Way (the Polo Field) to build 721 new homes on Green Belt land in Chiswell Green, and the subsequent claim for a judicial review.
Last week another inspector approved an appeal to allow up to 53 new houses to be built on Green Belt land behind Ragged Hall Lane. His decision focused on the under-delivery of housing in the histrict judged against the Government’s housing targets, which he considered superseded all the other ‘harms’ that would result from the development.
Homeowner Karen Watson said: “It really feels as though we are under siege from developers in Chiswell Green. Soon there will be no Green Belt left for future generations to enjoy.”
The public meeting will provide an opportunity to talk about all of the applications in the district and ask the KCG team questions about Cala, Polo, Ragged Hall Lane, other proposed developments in the area and the long-awaited St Albans Local Plan.
Campaign leader Shirani St Ledger McCarthy said: “The meeting will cover the grounds for the claim, the judicial review process and what the outcomes might be, as well as giving residents the opportunity to ask whatever questions they might have.
“With the district currently inundated with applications for speculative development, Keep Chiswell Green is keen to highlight that the Secretary of State’s decision will have implications for the entire St Albans district and invites residents from across the area to attend.”
The first meeting will be on Sunday May 12 at 2pm at Greenwood Park Community Centre, in the Sports Hall.
There is no need to register in advance – please just turn up on the day.
Conscious that Sundays can be busy for families, KCG are also offering a second opportunity, if there is demand, on Thursday May 16 at 8pm.
If you would like to attend the Thursday meeting, please RSVP to express your interest by sending an email with the subject “I would like to attend the Thursday public meeting”, to campaign.team@keepchiswellgreen.org
