Plans to use green belt land to keep alpacas and horses have been approved after the district council added key conditions.

The application for an area of land behind Croxley House in Little Green Lane, Croxley Green, was heard at a Three Rivers planning committee meeting yesterday evening (September 12).

Committee members voted six to one to approve the plans, but they added a stipulation to introduce wheel washing facilities during construction to mitigate erosion in the “narrow” access lane.

The land, north of Croxley House, Little Green Lane. The land, north of Croxley House, Little Green Lane. (Image: Canva/Google Maps) Poly tunnels and a potting enclosure will be built in a small area to the southwest, a larger area to the north will be set aside for alpaca grazing, and the east of the site will be used as a horse grazing paddock with a hay store and mobile stables.

TRDC also ordered that if the stables are not used for 12 months in a row, they would have to be demolished and removed from the site within 30 days.

The plot had previously been the subject of a series of failed bids to build between one and 34 homes, but horticulture use is now proposed.

It had been recommended for approval despite concerns raised by the Croxley Green Parish Council over “creeping development within the green belt”, and nine objections from neighbours that allowing it could lead to further development down the line.