Plans for nine "small family homes" on Green Belt land in Colney Heath have been submitted to St Albans District Council's planning committee.

The development would sit at the junction of Roestock Lane and Bullens Green Lane, and would include access for vehicles, landscaping and "associated works".

Two semi-detached, two-bedroom houses - suitable for four people - would be created, along with six three-bedroom properties.

One detached three-bedroom home would also be constructed, suitable for five people.

Herts Advertiser: Two bedroom and three bedroom properties are included in the plan.Two bedroom and three bedroom properties are included in the plan. (Image: St Albans City & District Council / Mark Bell Architects Ltd)

The plans follow two previous applications for the land (5/2023/060), one valid in March this year.

This application would have seen six homes produced, but "comments received from planning consultation" resulted in its withdrawal.

It was determined that "more houses on the plot" were required, that were smaller in size. It was also decided that hedgerows should be kept along the roadside.

Herts Advertiser: A street view of the proposed Colney Heath properties.A street view of the proposed Colney Heath properties. (Image: St Albans City & District Council / LAP Architects & Interior Designers)

Further back, in February 1989, an application was refused on the following basis: "The site is within an area described in the approved County Structure Plan as Metropolitan Green Belt, the precise boundaries of which have been defined in the St Albans District Plan.

"Within the Green Belt permission will not be given except in very special circumstances, for development for purposes other than that required for mineral extraction, agriculture, small scale facilities for participatory sport and recreation, or other uses appropriate to a rural area.

Herts Advertiser: A masterplan of the proposed Colney Heath properties.A masterplan of the proposed Colney Heath properties. (Image: St Albans City & District Council / LAP Architects & Interior Designers)

"The proposed development cannot be justified in terms of the purposes specified and no exceptional circumstances are apparent in this case."

The new application (5/2023/2100) would "produce a high-quality development that is consistent with the area’s established character".

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The plans continue: "Future occupants would have good living conditions, while neighbouring households’ amenity would be safeguarded by edging around the site boundaries."

Residents currently have until November 18 to comment or object to the application, however, Colney Heath Parish Council have requested an extension until November 24.

Herts Advertiser: The development would sit on an area of Green Belt land in Colney Heath.The development would sit on an area of Green Belt land in Colney Heath. (Image: Google Maps)

This would allow the local authority to "formally discuss their response" at a council meeting on November 23.

No public comments or objections have yet been made.

To view or comment on the application, visit www.planningapplications.stalbans.gov.uk, quoting 5/2023/2100.