24 Feb 2025
Verulam councillors have said they are positive about plans for thousands of new homes on their doorstep.
Proposals for the East Hemel development call for up to 4,000 new homes, health and community facilities, new schools, new transport links and green spaces including a country park.
It covers a 975-acre area of land to the east of the Woodhall Farm and Leverstock Green neighbourhoods and Maylands industrial area.
The site forms part of the Hemel Garden Communities (HGC) programme, which will transform the town through the delivery of up to 11,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs by 2050.
Much of the land is within the boundaries of St Albans district council, and has already prompted concerns about encroachment on the Redbourn village, with residents fearing a loss of village identity and absorption into Hemel Hempstead.
Redbourn parish council leader Cllr David Mitchell previously said the scheme would be a disaster for the village, especially when coupled with other proposed development sits at west and east 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 3,000 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.”
But councillors representing Verulam ward, which also abuts the development, are less concerned.
Speaking on behalf of fellow councillors Edgar Hill and Julian Degg, Cllr Dawn Gamble said: “The specific site you are referring to is large in scope with around 2,000 homes proposed in the Local Plan period, but its eastern extent is to the west of the M1. It is therefore over one mile from any large number of residents in Verulam ward. HGC is designed to include several new schools and to have work travel patterns which will not bring a significant number of new trips into and across our ward.
“As you know, the homes proposed there would deliver a large part of the total housing requirement placed upon our district by national Government diktat.
“It is our belief that most of the residents we represent would prefer homes to be built in a planned way, at this sort of location, rather than ones that would put much greater pressure on community facilities and infrastructure, which is what we constantly hear raises the biggest concern.”
The Crown Estate, who are behind the development, will be holding a new round of community engagement events offering local residents the chance to view early designs and share their feedback.
These drop-in events build on community design workshops which took place in January as well as comprehensive engagement with local residents, community groups and other stakeholders last year.
Locally, the Redbourn session takes place this Wednesday, February 26, in the village hall from 5-8pm.
Rob Chesworth, head of strategic land at The Crown Estate, said: “From new housing and green spaces to long-term community stewardship opportunities, East Hemel has potential to make a substantial positive impact – responding to the needs of the local area.
“We’re excited by the ideas to come out of recent community design workshops and look forward to presenting these to the wider community. We hope to see as many people as possible at the upcoming events as we look to bring these ideas to life and create a place that will bring wide-reaching benefits for people of all ages and from all walks of life.”
A third stage of engagement will take place later in the year ahead of a planning application being submitted.
A project website (www.easthemel.co.uk) has further details on East Hemel and the upcoming engagement events. The website also provides an online forum via Commonplace where people can share their views.
