Angle Property and Cala Homes have been granted planning consent on appeal for their plans to build 135 new homes and community facilities on undeveloped green belt land in Hertfordshire.
Planning was granted following a four-day public inquiry last month into the plans for the site at Rectory Farm, Kings Langley.
Edward Ledwidge, partner at Montagu Evans, which advised Angle Property and Cala Homes, said: “This is an important decision relating to a site that was due to be released from the green belt to meet Dacorum’s acute housing land supply shortfall, before a change in administration reversed the council’s strategy, leaving our clients with the only option to seek planning permission via appeal.
“The evidence supporting new housing in this location to address the severe needs of the borough in the short term, combined with delivery of other social, economic and environmental benefits, provided the Inspectorate with a clear route to allowing this appeal. The decision has also importantly established how Grampian planning conditions can be used to secure mitigation – in this case related to provision of off-site suitable alternative natural greenspace which has been a considerable barrier to housing development in Dacorum and elsewhere.
“Not only does this result allow our clients to move forward, but the decision establishes some important points of principle that may assist the delivery of other sustainable housing sites in areas of need.”
The planning appeal was supported by Landmark Chambers, Fierra, JTP Architects, MacGregor Smith, Aspect, SCARP, Emery Planning, Tetlow King and BCLP LAW.
