Up to 115 homes could be built at a paintball site in the green belt.
A number of buildings on the land in Lye Lane, Bricket Wood, would be demolished to make way for the housing development.
The site is currently home to Bricket Wood Paintballing Centre, Bricket Wood Sports & Country Club, and Bricket Lodge; the latter is existing residential properties. Some of the site’s buildings are derelict while others remain in use.
St Albans District Council has received an outline application to redevelop the brownfield site which is situated within the green belt.
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Planning documents submitted on behalf of applicant Ken Rudkin admit the scheme would cause “undeniable inappropriate harm” but say “substantial weight” should be given to the fact St Albans district is in a “housing crisis” and has one of the oldest local plans in England.
It is proposed that 35% of the homes built are designated as affordable but specific details about the type, tenure, and size of the homes still need to be decided and would come when a full application is submitted.
It is envisaged the affordable homes would be delivered and managed by a housing association. Around 25% of the affordable homes would be ‘First Homes’, which are a specific kind of discounted market sale housing.
Read more: Affordable housing development in Chiswell Green rejected
The development would be accessed from Lye Lane, which is a country lane connecting the A405 dual carriageway and West Riding.
A transport assessment has been submitted to the council with the scheme capable of providing 253 parking spaces.
Eleven objections have been made which include concerns about how Lye Lane could cope with all of the extra traffic.
One comment from someone who lives in Lye Lane said: “As a resident, I find absurd that this is even a consideration.
“Lye Lane can’t handle the current traffic flow nor can the surrounding areas. Let alone the lack of community services we have, schools, dentist and doctors are struggling to accommodate current residents let alone additional. If this is considered it would be a huge mistake.”
Bricket Lodge residents have also voiced their concerns.
The application can be viewed on the planning portal via reference 5/2022/2443.
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