Plans for hundreds of homes on a green belt site have swelled after a council previously ruled they would not affect the environment.

The owners of Catlips Farm in Berry Lane, Chorleywood, have reapplied to Three Rivers District Council for a screening opinion over the major development between the village and the M25.

In November, they floated plans for 300 homes on 51.1 acres of fields, but preliminary planning documents now show they are eyeing up to 400 units on a larger 85.2-acre plot.
A plan of the proposed development with the added plot to the north west.A plan of the proposed development with the added plot to the north west. (Image: Progress Planning)

TRDC judged the original scheme did not require an environmental impact assessment as it was “not likely to have potentially hazardous environmental effects”.

The additional 31.1 acres of land in the latest plan has been primarily earmarked for homes, although the landowner said they would consider other alternative residential developments, such as a care home, or potential commercial usage. 

The site had been suggested as a potential site for 300 homes under the Three Rivers local plan, but was not brought forward because of green belt harm and concerns over site access.

An overview of the site submitted with the previous plans for 300 homes.An overview of the site submitted with the previous plans for 300 homes. (Image: Three Rivers District Council planning portal/Progress Design) It is currently used for farming with a small area for storing scaffolding and agricultural vehicles. 

Planning documents state that the land is located within the green belt with some areas falling into the “Chilterns Landscape Character Area” and the Pheasant’s Wood local wildlife site next to the M25.

Although the applicant admitted the development was “of significant scale”, they argued this did not necessarily mean it would be harmful to the environment.