11 Oct 2024
One of the most controversial housing developments included in St Albans’ draft Local Plan is now open for community engagement.
The Crown Estate is proposing to build up to 4,000 new homes on 975 acres of Green Belt between Redbourn Road and Hemel Hempstead Road, to the west of the M1.
The East Hemel site is allocated for development in SADC’s draft Local Plan, which will set the planning policy for how areas like this should be designed and developed.
The East Hemel development will be the first phase of the wider Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) programme, which aims to transform Hemel Hempstead by providing new community facilities, schools, new transport links and green spaces that support health, wellbeing and a thriving natural environment, as well as 10,000 new jobs for the surrounding area.
The proposals for East Hemel are at an early stage, with a comprehensive programme of community engagement taking place over the next 15 months ahead of a formal planning application.
The Crown Estate, which was established by an Act of Parliament, has a diverse £16bn portfolio which includes urban centres and rural holdings. It says it wants to understand more about life in the area, as well as the local community’s ideas and ambitions for East Hemel.
Head of strategic land at The Crown Estate Rob Chesworth, said: “We are really excited by the opportunity at East Hemel, which has the potential to deliver jobs, homes, schools, green space and other community benefits for generations to come.
“The upcoming engagement events will be a great opportunity to better understand local residents and their communities. We hope as many people as possible will take part and share their views to help create a place that can thrive both now and in the future.”
But the proposals have not gone down well with Redbourn Parish Council.
Chairman David Mitchell said: “The Hemel Garden Community development would be a disaster for Redbourn.
“Yes, we need new housing, but building an extension to Hemel that is nearly the size of Harpenden will destroy over 500 hectares of Green Belt in the area. Of the 11,000 new houses being proposed, over 3000 are in Redbourn parish between Hemel and Redbourn village.
“That would see a loss of over 130 hectares of quality farmland between the two settlements.
“The infrastructure demands would be huge and the increase in traffic on already congested roads will cause major delays unless there is a revolution in public transport provisions.
“The Hemel Garden Community programme is arguably a social experiment that may or may not come off.
“Either way, the surrounding countryside would be a building site for decades
“ Add to that the proposed development sites in the draft Local Plan at West and East Redbourn, and it’s clear that Redbourn would no longer be a rural village. Redbourn Parish Council opposes extensive development on our surrounding Green Belt but it seems others are prepared to make Redbourn the sacrificial lamb.”
The Crown Estate is holding a drop-in session in Redbourn Village Centenary Room on October 17 from 6-9pm, offering local residents the opportunity to meet the Estate team, share their views and ask questions.
