After hundreds of documents were submitted over more than a year, a controversial 135-home plan has been shot down.

When permission for 55 homes in a brownfield section of the Rectory Farm site, in Kings Langley, was granted 2021, campaigners were shocked to see more than a hundred extra proposed for greenfield land at the site, in June 2022.

There were 179 public comments made, including 173 objections, and a decision was finally reached today (October 18) with Dacorum Borough Council refusing permission.

The decision notice said: “The council acted pro-actively through positive engagement with the applicant in an attempt to narrow down the reasons for refusal, but fundamental objections could not be overcome.”

Kings Langley & District residents Association chair Gary Ansell said: "We’re very pleased at the planning officer’s decision to refuse this application and it shows that the council has acted on the overwhelming view of residents - that the village’s green belt needs to be protected and the openness of the site preserved.

Watford Observer: Rectory Farm.Rectory Farm. (Image: Kings Langley and District Residents Association)

"It already has 55 new homes built on the brownfield part of the site and we have always said the rest of the site, which is green field, should be turned over wholly to the community as a valuable green space in the heart of Kings Langley."

Four specific reasons for rejection were listed, including the overall harm to the green belt, and three reasons relating to technical agreements over transport and affordable housing not being reached between the applicant and council.

The site is on private land, with no public access, and had been described as “neglected” even by those objecting to development.

It had been included in the council’s emerging local plan as a potential site for residential development, but a recent report suggesting it may be removed, in response to feedback, was heralded as a victory by campaigners against the proposal.

Watford Observer: Rectory Farm.Rectory Farm. (Image: Kings Langley and District Residents Association)

However, according to the officer’s report recommending refusal, until the emerging plan is finalised the area remains unallocated. This means it is treated as subject to green belt designation and the local plan would not be considered in a decision either way, unless finalised.

The planning officer specifically highlighted harm to the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation as an “over-riding harm” and “critical factor in the refusal of this application”.

They added that the 'very special circumstances' offered by the applicant “do not make a compelling case in favour of the approval of planning permission”.

The applicant has been contacted for comment.