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Search the Public Notice PortalThe Flamstead saga has ramped up after an applicant has lodged a planning bid for Gypsy and Traveller pitches as works continue on an "unauthorised encampment" site.
As of yesterday (April 7), a proposal was finally sent to Dacorum Borough Council (DBC), requesting a change of use for the field, known as Cotton Spring, off Friendless Lane.
Under the application, 14 residential Gypsy and Traveller pitches will be erected, with each providing one mobile home, two touring caravans and one day room. Details of associated groundworks, hardstanding, boundary treatment and landscaping have also been published.
It is important to note this application is not "retrospective" despite the overwhelming amount of construction that has already been undertaken.
For those that have missed it, over Easter weekend a number of large construction vehicles filled with "aggregate", equipment, and caravans and mobile homes, began descending onto the village, leaving residents bewildered.
All the vehicles were destined for the site off Friendless lane. It has since emerged the land is not only on green belt, but is also included under the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
It was swiftly confirmed by Flamstead Parish Council that no known planning permission had been granted for the development.
Images from the encampment showed an abundance of gravel laid down, with several construction vehicles on site. Further pictures show caravans and cars also on the land.
A Flamstead resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the events of Easter weekend were of "an industrial scale" and highlighted the community's frustration with the works.
Villagers swiftly alerted DBC and MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Victoria Collins, to seek a solution.
On Sunday (April 5) the borough council confirmed an "emergency injunction" had been applied for to halt building on the site, which was granted by the court. The details of this notice have not been revealed.
The borough council is now waiting for a court hearing to be scheduled before further legal proceedings can take place.
The application's submission marks the latest development in the saga following "lawful protests" from residents and a police presence in and around the village over the last few days.
Currently, the application is "with a planning case officer". An attached planning statement reveals further information about the development.
The applicant cites the 2024 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments (GTAAs) as justification for the proposal. The GTAAs are used by local authorities to assess, determine and meet the housing needs for members of these groups.
"There continues to be an identified unmet need for sites for Gypsy and Travellers in the borough, and the council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of sites to meet this need," a supporting statement by the applicant reads.
The applicant acknowledges the proposal results in "some harm to the openness" of the green belt site, however it is believed that a new line of trees and hedgerows would be established on the east and west boundaries to "screen the development from view".
Again due to an "unmet demand" for Gypsy and Traveller sites, the applicant believes this development can be deemed appropriate for green belt.
In regard to its status as a part of the Chilterns National Landscape and being an AONB, the statement admitted some harm, but also argued: "In any event, this is a very small portion of the Chilterns National Landscape/AONB, such that the impact of development on the character of the area will be localised and not impact upon the setting of the wider landscape or AONB."
The access point will "need to be enhanced" to afford the development and to meet standards required by the Herts Highways, this can be seen in a proposed site plan below:
As expected, three objections have already been made by members of the public, labelling the development as "unacceptable".
One commenter recognised the need to provide lawful and appropriate accommodation for traveller communities, but was not approving of the process surrounding the construction.
Another said: "This application would set a precedent that land can be developed on in the green belt without any consideration to the impact on wildlife or the beauty of the British countryside.. Quite frankly a ridiculous application.. I'm quite sure more suitable areas are available in the county for this sort of development."
To view the full plans search 26/00811/MFA on Dacroum Borough Council's planning portal.
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