28 Oct 2024
Developers are pressing ahead with their plans to develop 550 new homes on Green Belt land to the north-west of Harpenden, even though their proposals do not conform with the draft Local Plan.
Under the newly submitted Plan, Legal and General’s development would be restricted to just 300 homes on land at Cooters End Lane and Ambrose Lane, on arable fields close to King’s School, Spire Hospital and The Oval.
Harpenden Town Council has condemned the scheme, saying the proposals do not conform with the policies of Harpenden Neighbourhood Plan, primarily the lack of very special circumstances for building on the Green Belt, insufficient transport mitigation measures, and an inconsistency of education requirements.
But L&G have now presented new documents to SADC which they say aim to correct the flaws highlighted in their original March 2023 proposals.
Campaign group Stop L&G fears they are pressing ahead with the scheme in a bid to avoid the restrictions of the draft Local Plan.
A spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that L&G are trying to push their proposal through now even though it clearly contravenes the new Local Plan. This shows more clearly than ever that L&G are more concerned about their own profits rather than being responsible partners in our community.
“They have spent the last 18 months trying to correct the major transport flaws which we pointed out in their original proposal, but if this is the best they can do then it is nowhere near good enough. L&G have now been forced to disclose the shocking truth that this development would grind Harpenden to a halt with 150-car queues in each direction along the Luton Road.
“This development would cause transport misery for local residents. We will be urging the district council to reject this proposal.”
To comment on these proposals, visit planningapplications.stalbans.gov.uk and search for reference 5/2023/0327.
