01 Jul 2023
Where are the main sites submitted for inclusion in the draft Local Plan, and what are the key elements of each scheme? We take a look at the proposals put forward by council officers…
Hemel Garden Communities – 3,100 homes (2,585 during period of Local Plan) to the north-east and east of Hemel Hempstead (including one 60+ nursing care scheme and five 70+ extra-care schemes), plus a major new enviro-tech employment location, enhanced transport infrastructure, strategic and public open space, two new primary schools, provision of 15-20 pitches for gypsy and traveller communities, recreation space and other community facilities including health provision, a new neighbourhood and local centre.
North St Albans – 1,146 homes (including two 50+ extra-care schemes), a two-form entry primary school, walking and cycling links, a new neighbourhood centre on a 46.75 acre site.
North East Harpenden – 762 homes (including one 60+ extra-care scheme), a site for and appropriate contributions to a 2FE primary school, improved access to Common Lane and Katherine Warrington School, a new neighbourhood centre providing local services and commercial development opportunities on a 43.24 acre site.
West Redbourn – 593 homes on 27.02 acres (including two 60+ nursing care schemes), a new primary school or contributions to expand the existing school, transport improvements to Lybury Lane and Flamsteadbury Lane, access and improvements to Flamsteadbury Park children’s play area.
East St Albans – 522 homes on 21.69 acres (including one 50+ extra-care scheme), plus a 2FE primary school, a site for and appropriate contributions towards an 8FE secondary school within nearby Oaklands College land fronting onto Hatfield Road, investment into improved education, training provision and facilities at Oaklands College, contributions towards Ellenbrook Country park, a new neighbourhood centre for local services and commercial development opportunities.
Glinwell, Hatfield Road, Colney Heath – this 20.85 acre site would take 436 homes (including one 80+ nursing care scheme), and would see improvements to the A1057 Hatfield Road and access to the Alban Way, plus enhancements to the site of the Grade II listed former railway station, and contributions towards Ellenbrook Fields country park.
West of London Colney/Park Street – 405 homes (including one 60+ nursing care scheme and 10 units for special needs accommodation) on 13.50 acres, including a new 2FE primary school, a site for and appropriate contributions towards an 8FE secondary school, and safe and attractive access for pedestrians and cyclists via Napsbury Park.
North West Harpenden – this 12.19 acre site (pictured above) would feature 293 homes (including one 60+ nursing care scheme), a transport network including excellent cycling and walking links connecting to Luton Road and Ambrose Lane, and community facilities for the benefit of existing and future residents.
Harper Lane, north of Radlett – 274 homes (including one 50+ nursing care scheme) on 11.40 acres, agreed access to Harper Lane, improved footpath and cycle routes into Radlett and pedestrian access to bus routes on both sides of Watling Street.
Burston Nurseries, North Orbital Road, St Albans – 180 homes on 14.33 acres.
Cross Lane, Harpenden – 131 units on 6.47 acres, which must address access to the site along the rural route of Cross Lane or via an alternative route.
West of Watling Street, Park Street – 104 units on 4.33 acres.
Smaller developments are proposed for sites east and west of Miriam Lane in Chiswell Green, Hill Dyke Road in Wheathampstead, Bedmond Lane in St Albans, north of Oakwood Road in Bricket Wood, at the sewage treatment works in Piggotshill Lane in Harpenden and on the road itself, south of Harpenden Lane in Redbourn, in Townsend Lane, Harpenden, on land belonging to Verulam Golf Club in St Albans, on Amwell Top Field in Wheathampstead, on Tippendell Lane and Orchard Drive in How Wood, on land at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, north of The Slype in Gustard Wood, north of Boissy Close in Colney Heath, in Beesonend Lane in Harpenden, in Bucknalls Drive in Bricket Wood, Falconers Field in Harpenden, north of Wheathampstead Road in Harpenden, east of Kay Walk in St Albans, on the Lower Luton Road in Harpenden, at Rothamsted Lodge in Hatching Green, at Wood End in Hatching Green, in Ashdale Lye Lane in Bricket Wood, south of Codicote Road in Wheathampstead, Baulk Close in Harpenden, the highway chipping depot on the Lower Luton Road and Frogmore Vicarage.
Previously developed sites on Green Belt land now proposed for housing include Smallford Works and land on the North Orbital Road.
Sites within urban developments including east of Morris Recreation Ground in London Colney, land south west of London Colney Allotments, the site of the former Bricket Wood United Reformed Church and Greenwood URC.
Other schemes within existing settlements include 92 homes at the site of Sainsbury’s supermarket in Everard Close, although proposals must retain a supermarket with a similar floorspace and retain a similar amount of parking, with the homes delivered through the intensification of the site.
Other schemes put forward for development included 29 units at 13-19 Sutton Road and 5-11a Pickford Road in St Albans, 28 units at 5 Spencer Street, 26 units on the former Harpenden Public Halls at 6 Southdown Road, 24 units on the garage block to the rear of 109-179 Hughenden Road in St Albans, 21 homes at 50 Victoria Street, 20 units on the garage block between Hughenden Road and The Ridgeway, 17 units on the garage block west of Thirlstane in Bernards Heath, 15 units on a garage block off Cotlandswick in London Colney, 14 units on a garage block to the front of 94-142 Riverside Road in St Albans, 14 units at 54 Lemsford Road, 13 units at 104 High Street in London Colney, 12 units on garages off Chapel Place in Sopwell, 11 units on the garage site adjacent to Verulam House in Verulam Road, 10 units on garages to the rear of Hill End Lane, 10 units at 318 Watford Road in Chiswell Green, 10 units on a garage block at Malvern Close in St Albans, nine units at Berkeley House in Barnet Road, London Colney, eight units at New Greens Residents Association in High Oaks, eight units on a garage block off Noke Shot in Harpenden, eight units on garages between Abbotts Avenue West and the Abbey Line, eight units on garages to the rear of Tudor Road, St Albans, eight units off Creighton Avenue in St Albans, seven units to the rear of Snatchup in Redbourn, seven units on garages to the rear of Hill End Lane (South) in St Albans, seven units on garages off Park Street Lane in Park Street, seven units on Garages off Watling View (East) in Sopwell, six units on a garage block to the rear of 27-32 St Paul’s Place in St Albans, six units on a garage block to the east of 8 Heath Close in Harpenden, six units on land to the rear of New House Park shops in St Albans, six units on garages at Grindcobbe, six units on garages off Thirlmere Drive, six units on a garage block to the west of 32-46 Riverside Road, six units on a garage block off Millford Hill in Harpenden, six units off Watling View (West) in Sopwell, six units on garage blocks adjacent to 76 Oakley Road and 151 Grove Road in Harpenden, six units on Crabtree Fields and land at Waldegrave Park in Harpenden, five units on the garage block to the rear of 18-30 Furse Avenue, five units on the garage block south of Abbots Park, and five units on the garage block off Tallents Crescent in Harpenden.
Developing car parks is also on the agenda.
Thirty-six homes are proposed for the site of London Road car park, 35 homes on the car park to the rear of 32-34 Upper Marlborough Road, 25 units at Keyfield Terrace car park, 19 units on the car park adjacent to Verulam House in Verulam Road, 18 units on Bowers Way East car park in Harpenden, 12 units on the car park to the rear of 77-101 Hatfield Road, five units on the car park adjacent to 42-46 Adelaide Street, five units on Southview car park on the Lower Luton Road in Harpenden, and 31 units at 18-20 Catherine Street, but there must be a survey of the usage of each car park before these schemes are taken further.
Nineteen units are proposed for the Waitrose car park to the rear of 3 Church Green in Harpenden, but any scheme must retain a supermarket with the same floorspace and a similar amount of parking through intensification or redevelopment, while also providing appropriate levels of car parking for new and existing developments.
The long-mooted development of the St Albans Charter Market Depot in Drovers Way is included as well, with proposals for seven units.
