14 Aug 2023
A grassroots campaign of more than 70 households is fighting plans for up to 40 new homes in the heart of the Green Belt.
The Boissy Park Action Group was formed to oppose a scheme by Anderson Design and Build Ltd to construct up to 40 dwellings – including three self-build homes – with car and cycle parking, landscaping and associated works on land north of Boissy Close, Colney Heath Lane.
Councillors on the planning (development management) committee are due to decide on the proposals at a meeting this evening, with officers recommending conditional permission subject to the completion of an extensive Section 106 agreement.
Mark Taylor, on behalf of Boissy Park Action Group, said: “Over 70 households have voiced concern and raised objections to this proposed development.
“This is in addition to objections from Colney Heath Parish Council, CPRE, Herts Wildlife, the Ramblers Association and St Albans Civic Society.
“The site is classified as Green Belt and there are no very special circumstances clearly shown and required for the development to be approved.
“We have concerns that traffic surveys have not reflected the acute congestion and risk on Colney Heath Lane during school drop off and pick-ups. Colney Heath Lane is a rural road that this not suited for more cars, let alone construction vehicles – especially considering Hill End Lane has a weight restricted bridge.
“There would also be a loss of openness and increased sprawl and merging of settlements and a lack of supporting infrastructure.
“I understand the projected housing shortages present serious challenges for the district, but sites need to be considered on merit, in the right locations with the right infrastructure.”
The scheme has been called in by Cllrs Chris Brazier, Liz Needham and Sharon Hollingsworth because of the scale and mass of the proposed development, the large impact it will have on the Green Belt, and the harmful effect it will have on the street scene being adjacent to the park. The loss of a green space used by many residents living close by and the harmful impact on the Alban Way were also cited.
Colney Heath Parish Council have also highlighted the lack of very special circumstances for building on the Green Belt, access to the site and the wider impacts on traffic in Colney Heath Lane, and heavily oversubscribed primary and secondary schools in the area.
The soil on the site is also heavily contaminated with spent calcium carbide, which is considered toxic to animals and plants.
CHPC stated: “The applicant’s statement that the surplus soil could used on site to form a bank along the eastern edge clearly carries very significant risks to both the wider environment and residents and particularly children.
“The removal and disposal might be possible, however in the application this was not considered nor has a safety assessment been completed to see if it could be
undertaken in close proximity to houses and gardens…
“Currently there is no evidence of environment harm caused by the spent calcium carbide buried on site, while leaving buried might not be ideal, its probably the safest option currently. The risks and impacts from its removal far outweigh any benefits the development might bring,”
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) Herts warned: ” The application demonstrates a clear encroachment into open countryside on the edge of the built-up area with significant impact on its openness and character in this location. It constitutes an inappropriate urban extension which the Green Belt designation exists to prevent.”
The planning committee meeting starts tonight at 7pm.
