Harpenden: Green Belt plans in Cooters End and Ambrose Lanes

Around 130 retirement homes, a public open space and allotments are included in the plans for Cooters End Lane and Ambrose Lane, along with affordable housing.

A "community and social hub" including leisure and restaurant uses would also be included.

Residents have until Thursday, June 8, to object to the plans before a decision is made by St Albans City & District Council.

A large number of public comments and objections have already been made to the application.

READ MORE

• 'Final push' in four-year campaign for new playground
• St Albans Hospital legal deadline for building work extended

An extraordinary council meeting was also held by Harpenden Town Council, in which the local authority agreed to strongly object to the application.

The council also recommended that it is refused by the Local Planning Authority.

This recommendation was made on the basis that the application does not conform with a number of Harpenden Neighbourhood Plan policies.

These include "insufficient justification of very special circumstances for developing on Green Belt", "unacceptable damage to Ancient Woodland" and "negative impact upon adjacent Grade II-listed buildings".

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to our newsletter.

Harpenden Town Council's response continued: "There is a significant strength of local opinion against this proposal.

"People from across Harpenden recognise the negative impact that this development would have on the town itself, our roads and our services.

"The council recognises the need for new housing in appropriate locations in Harpenden that does not have a significant negative impact on the town’s existing environment and its people."

One Harpenden resident, of Crosspaths, raised concerns over the impact that the proposed development would have on roads in the town.

An overview of the plans. (Image: Hayden's / St Albans City & District Council)

He wrote: "These sites will hugely increase road pressures in Northern Harpenden.

"Driving can be impossible currently, and cycling isn't practical on a day to day basis or even safe.

"Shops near the site already struggle for car parking."

A planning statement created by Lichfields on behalf of Legal & General (Strategic Land Harpenden) Limited states: "Taken together, the benefits of the proposal clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and all other harms...

"...In turn, this justifies the approval of the proposed development."

To view and comment on the plans, go to planningapplications.stalbans.gov.uk/planning and search 5/2023/0327.