11 Apr 2025
A fresh appeal has been launched to obtain permission for a fence surrounding a community green space.
Ukings Property Limited, a company registered in Cell Barnes Lane, want to erect a planting hedge in front of a 2m fence adjacent to 1 Windridge Close, on St Albans’ Verulam Estate.
Vast swathes of what was previously thought to be public land were sold across the estate in June 2021, including one lot around Mayne Avenue, Samian Gate, Flavian Close, Icknield Close, Glenum Close, Hadrian Close, Lindum Place, Augustus Close, Claudian Place, Antonine Gate and Ermine Close, and a second in the vicinity of Windridge Close, Westfields, Deva Close, Dubrae Close, Rowlatt Drive, Mayne Avenue and Corinium Gate.
SADC has refused permission on the grounds that the proposed development would result in the loss of a prominent area of landscaping and open space which is an important feature to the character and appearance of this residential area, and because it has not been demonstrated that the proposed planting would have an acceptable impact on highway safety.
Timothy Beecroft, chair of Verulam Residents Association, responded to the appeal: “This is getting ridiculous. The application was quite rightly rejected on two grounds, the bad effect it would have both on the appearance of the estate and on highway safety.
“The owners of the land, seem to me, not to have addressed either of these issues but simply say that putting up a two metre high fence around a piece of land that has been a green open space for more than 50 years would ‘improve the green space and positively contribute to the character of the surrounding area’! This is nonsense and I, along with all other residents, hope very much that the Planning Inspector also recognises that it is nonsense and dismisses the appeal.”
