Appeal dismissed! A win for the Green Belt at Bradmore Way, Brookmans Park

We’re delighted that the Planning Inspector has dismissed the planning appeal regarding development in the Green Belt on land to the north of Bradmore Way in Brookmans Park, Welwyn Hatfield Borough.

Over the past year CPRE Hertfordshire has been campaigning against Aurora Properties (UK) Ltd’s application to build 125 dwellings and related facilities on open countryside in the Green Belt.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council refused permission in August 2022, and the developer subsequently appealed that decision to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspector conducted an Inquiry in public earlier this year.

CPRE Hertfordshire participated as a Rule 6 Party at the Inquiry, together with Brookmans Park Action Group and the North Mymms District Green Belt Society and assisted by barrister Joseph Thomas of Landmark Chambers. We argued that the proposed development in this location would result in severe harm to the Green Belt.

So we are delighted that the Planning Inspector has dismissed the appeal!

The full Appeal Decision is available to download.

Download

In summary, the Planning Inspector listed the key issues as:

• The effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt and its purposes;
• The effect of the scheme on the character and the appearance of the area; and
• If the development is inappropriate, whether the harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development within the Green Belt.

And in arriving at her decision to dismiss the appeal, the Planning Inspector wrote:

“The government attaches great importance to the Green Belt…  Any harm to the Green Belt is therefore given substantial weight.”

“The appeal scheme is inappropriate development and there would be harm to openness. The development would also cause harm to the character and appearance of the area in conflict with the development plan.”

She also reiterated several important planning principles including:

The “appropriate place for Green Belt boundaries to be altered is through the preparation or updating of plans”.  In other words, through Local Plans, not through individual, speculative planning applications.

While the provision of market housing, affordable housing, self-build plots and a care home were afforded substantial weight in favour of the proposed development, the totality of these did not “clearly outweigh the combined weight of the harm to the Green Belt, harm to character and appearance, and conflict with the development plan.” Therefore, “the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development do not exist.”

Along with our partners at the North Mymms District Green Belt Society and the Brookmans Park Action Group, we are pleased to have played our part in protecting the Green Belt at Bradmore Way!

– – –

Our documents available to download:

CPRE Hertfordshire’s original objection to the planning application

Combined Objectors’ Group Opening Statement

Combined Objectors’ Group Closing Statement

Other documents are available to view on the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council website.

– – –

We are CPRE Hertfordshire, the countryside charity. We work to promote and protect the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside for everyone. We are a membership charity, so please become a member and help support our work. It’s quick and easy to join online.