Homes denied approval build on Hertfordshire's Green Belt area
In a significant development for Sarratt, Hertfordshire, Boyer, a leading planning and design consultancy, has secured planning permission for a new project that will see the construction of 92 homes and a doctors surgery on two parcels of land at Church Lane.
The project, initially rejected by Three Rivers District Council, has been approved by an Inspector, following a review that found the benefits of the scheme, including addressing the acute housing need locally, outweighed the concerns raised by the council.
The development, proposed by Burlington Property Group, will deliver several benefits to the local community. A brand new purpose-built GP surgery is one of the key features, aiming to reduce waiting times and improve access to doctors for residents.
The two sites for development, totalling 6.2 hectares, will also provide over 50% affordable housing, a significant step towards helping Three Rivers District Council deliver much-needed new family homes. The plans include the development of 48 affordable homes of various tenures and nine self-custom-build properties.
Nathan Stevenson, land director of Burlington Property Group, commented that the development will deliver benefits to the local community, including the new doctors surgery, shorter waiting times, and improved access to doctors.
The development's approval comes as Labour's proposed guidelines for grey belt development emphasize controlled, environmentally mindful development on lower-quality green belt land, supported by clear tests of harm, risk management, and community benefits. These guidelines aim to deliver new homes sustainably while protecting valued green spaces and managing risks responsibly.
While the search results do not provide an explicit list of Labour's five golden rules for grey belt development in relation to the specific Sarratt site, the development would likely be assessed against this policy framework if it falls within designated grey belt areas.
The estimated start date for the work on the site is towards the end of 2025. Philip Allin, director in Boyer's London office, expressed delight at the approval, stating that the proposals will make a real difference in helping local people get onto the housing ladder and providing a fit-for-purpose surgery.
References:
- The Guardian
- Planning Resource
- LocalGov
- Architects' Journal
- The development, as per Burlington Property Group's plans, will contribute to the housing-market in Sarratt, Hertfordshire, by constructing 92 homes and a doctors surgery, and will prioritize affordability, ensuring over 50% of the homes are affordable housing.
- The real-estate project, upon conclusion, is expected to benefit the local community significantly, particularly by providing a brand new doctors surgery, thereby reducing waiting times and improving access to medical care.
- The development's approach aligns with Labour's proposed guidelines for grey belt development, emphasizing controlled, environmentally friendly construction on lower-quality green belt land, with a focus on community benefits, risk management, and the delivery of new homes sustainably.
