Plans for three new homes in Harpenden refused by council

The application would have seen an existing four-bedroom house on Kinsbourne Green demolished to make way for three new properties.

Developers Artichoke Homes Ltd had been hopeful of success, noting that while the site borders Green Belt land, it should be considered "brownfield, while not obstructing views of the Green Belt".

But planning officers took a dim view of the development, writing in their ruling that it would be an "overlarge, visually overbearing and incongruous addition" to the area.

The plans were labelled overbearing by planning officers (Image: Artichoke Homes Ltd / St Albans City & District Council) They also expressed concerns about the "loss of outlook and privacy" that the plans would cause neighbours.

A design and access statement submitted along with the application had attempted to promote the "Victorian and Edwardian aesthetic" of the proposed houses.

It said: "Whilst many Victorian dwellings often formed parts of a terrace of dwellings, the detached proposals allow the width of the property to be continued to the rear and allow additional space, without detriment to appearance."

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Six objections were raised against the plans, mainly focussed on fears about the overdevelopment of the site.

One wrote: "This development is totally out of keeping with the rural appearance of the area.  

"There are no other such developments of modern housing like this on The Common and as such will ruin the natural beauty and aesthetics of the area. 

"The council should refuse permission on this development and put the preservation of the appearance of Kinsbourne Green above the profit motive of a development company."

Another added: "Having lived here for over 30 years,  we feel we will be adversely affected by the size, height and scale of the proposed three houses.  

"We believe they would represent an invasion of our privacy."

Other residents expressed fears about the cutting down of trees, with one describing plans to do so as "unforgivable".

An objection was also received from Natural England, which expressed fears the development would have a harmful impact on the conservation area.