Plans for 195 homes on green belt land in Radlett submitted

The proposal seeks to build up to 195 homes on land between Radlett Lane and Theobald Street.

Space to expand nearby Newberries Primary School and to construct a medical facility have also been earmarked, the plans by applicant Fairfax Acquisitions shows.

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A statement issued in Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning portal by planning agent Boyer says the plans will deliver “numerous benefits” which will “outweigh” the harm to green belt.

A rough outline of the proposed development site in Radlett. Image: Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

In particular, the applicant has focused on the fact that 40% of the homes built will be designated as affordable. Fairfax says there is a “significant need” for affordable housing in Hertsmere, citing a council report from 2018/19 that put the borough as the second most unaffordable in the country when coupled with average wages.

Average house prices in Hertsmere have since risen from around £460,000 to £530,000 (as of April 2022).

However, the application, which is outline at this time, does not appear to go into detail about the type of affordable housing that will be available.

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Screenshot from the Hertsmere Borough Council planning portal showing how the land could be developed. Image: Boyer (Image: Boyer/Fairfax)

The majority of the 195 homes built will be houses of up to four bedrooms, with a “small proportion” of flats. Access would come from both Shenley Hill and Theobald Street.

Land set aside for a medical facility could allow Red House Surgery in Watling Street to relocate or provide an additional medical hub for the area.

The land, which is green belt, had been chosen as a suitable site to meet Government housing targets in the council’s local plan, which has since been set aside in the face of public backlash.

A blimp above Radlett calling for the green belt to be 'saved'. Image: Save Radlett (Image: Save Radlett)

Earlier this year, after planning papers were published indicating development proposals for the site were imminent, Stephen Balsam, who is part of the Save Radlett campaign group, raised concerns about the traffic and the impact on infrastructure and the environment.

Save Radlett co-founder Stephen Balsam (Image: Save Hertsmere)

He added: “As residents of Hertsmere, we don’t want hundreds of acres of green belt decimated and ruined that ultimately takes away from the beauty of the planet.

“There are enough brownfield sights for developers to look at if they need to build.”

Read more: Previously ditched plans for Radlett homes on green belt could be revived

The plans can be viewed in the planning portal via reference 22/1539/OUT.

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