The public inquiry into the proposed development of Harts Farm fields by Redrow PLC opened today in Borehamwood.
Led by Planning Inspector, Joanna Gilbert, it will determine whether Redrow will be able to build hundreds of houses on the green belt site in Little Bushey Lane.
It is expected that it will be a David and Goliath battle with Redrow fielding two barristers from the country’s leading planning chambers, Landmark, headed by Zac Simons - top-rated junior planning barrister. He will be calling a string of planning, environmental and transport consultants. Hertsmere Borough Council, meanwhile, are largely tackling the appeal with a handful of planning officers and barrister Emmeline Lambert from Cornerstones.
Speaking on behalf of Little Bushey Community, Chair, Daren Nathan said: “ The National Planning Policy Framework found that Little Bushey scored highly in preventing merging towns and that only very special circumstances should allow green belt development.”
“Whilst the appellant has tried several times to prove it has a flood risk solution, nothing it proposes suggests the risk has been mitigated. It will be for the Council and any consultant to demonstrate this is still the case.”
Daren Nathan also raised the issue of Hertfordshire County Council’s objection withdrawal on highways grounds, because they believed people could walk or cycle and stagger car journeys.
Continued LBC spokesperson, Nik Oakley: “It was our long-held belief that the Tory controlled Planning Committee would refuse the application in order to secure their seats in the local elections. If the appeal is lost, those same Tories - now claiming to be green belt saviours - will lay the blame squarely on the Inspector. The disparity between the Titans of Redrow’s team and the Council’s is very worrying.”
