13 Feb 2025
A final decision on whether to approve plans for 550 new homes in north-west Harpenden will be made on Monday night.
Councillors on SADC’s development management committee will vote on whether to give the green light to the proposals by Legal & General to build 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.
Other concerns include a negative impact upon adjacent Grade II listed buildings at Cooters End Farm, unacceptable damage to the ancient woodland of Ambrose Wood, concerns over the capabilities of the existing sewage infrastructure, poor quality and inaccurate transport assessments, unrealistic and unsafe travel plans and routes, and insufficient mitigation of the impact of the scheme on the A1081 route into and out of Harpenden itself.
The scheme involves up to 168 affordable homes, and 130 for integrated retirement living, and is described by the developers as “a beautiful new neighbourhood which responds to the needs and requirements of both the existing and future population of Harpenden, with multiple community benefits…
“The landscape-led masterplan will deliver over 11 hectares (27 acres of new public open space including play areas to meet local need, and sport pitches.”
Campaign group Stop L&G is calling on Harpenden residents to attend Monday’s meeting and show their opposition to the scheme, which council officers are recommending for approval.
A spokesperson said: “Local residents have been fighting this proposal for years and we have already forced the L&G and Herts County Council to abandon their madcap plan to convert the Luton Road into a single carriageway. At the last minute they have cobbled together a new traffic plan which even they admit is short-term and untested on both traffic and safety grounds.
“We have major concerns that Harpenden will be blighted by this new plan for decades. In our opinion it will make congestion on this critical road much worse and create major safety risks for drivers, residents and cyclists under the narrow Nickey Line bridge.
“Furthermore the development does not comply with the new Local Plan due to its vast land grab from our precious Green Belt. We are disappointed, but not surprised, that L&G are trying to rush it through before the new Local Plan comes fully into effect.
“We will be making a strong case to the planning committee to reject this proposal. We are also asking any Harpenden district and town councillors who are not on the planning committee to speak against it at the meeting.”
The meeting is to be held in the Council Chamber, District Council Offices, St Peter’s Street, St Albans at 7pm and members of the public are urged to turn up 10 minutes before it starts.
