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Greens fight for better housing at Killingdown Farm

Chris Mitchell, Green Party candidate for Dickinsons Ward, has succeeded in persuading the developers of Killingdown Farm in Croxley Green to improve energy saving in 160 proposed new homes. Installing heat pumps instead of mains gas connection will result in an energy saving of 43%, a vast improvement on current minimum building standards.

Chris has made two important representations at Three Rivers’ planning committee. On the second occasion he argued against the new site access from Little Green Lane. Access to the site is currently proposed from the west, using part of Little Green Lane which cuts across the Green. There would be two entrances and the existing carriageway would need to be widened. Chris is concerned about the impact this would have on the character of the much-loved Green:

“I will continue to oppose the proposed access from Little Green Lane. This option would be damaging the Green Conservation Area and will negatively impact the amenity of the village green.

“The removal of the well-established hedge along the edge of the site, which screens the development from the Green, would be a great loss.

“Three Rivers District Council should insist that the developer stick to the originally planned access route from Grove Crescent.”

Three Rivers’ Planning Committee has deferred it’s decision for an independent report of access.

In 2014, Chris spoke at the Public Inquiry as Parish Councillor to oppose taking Killingdown Farm out of the Green Belt. Chris worked alongside Croxley Green Resident’s Association and spoke on behalf of residents who have overwhelmingly been against the development from the start. Unfortunately, the inspector approved the site for development and thereby it was removed from the Green Belt. Chris will keep fighting for the best result possible:

“I fought to keep the site in the Green Belt in 2014 and I am now working to make sure the new homes achieve the best standards and minimize impact on local residents.

The Liberal Democrats supported the objections that I put forward at the Planning Committee on behalf of the Parish Council. After 6 months deliberations, the Council still hasn’t reached a decision.”

Chris led the Parish Council team that created the Croxley Green Neighbourhood Plan, identifying the policies and the 12 character areas which are the basis for protecting Croxley’s character and open spaces.

Chris is hoping to be the Green Party’s first candidate to win a seat at the District Council election on 6th May. One of his top priorities is to protect our Green Belt from unsustainable development and preserve our green spaces.

“The Government has set unrealistic targets for new house building which Three Rivers District Council may just accept.

“As Councillor, I will challenge the targets and fight further development within the Green Belt.”

Andrew Gallagher and Chris Mitchell stand by the hedgerow at Little Green Lane
Andrew Gallagher and Chris Mitchell at Little Green Lane

Notes:

You can find the planning application with reference number: 20/1881/FUL

https://www3.threerivers.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application

Killingdown Farm was historically operated as a dairy farm but the cows went many years ago and the farmer now mainly plants grains. The proposed housing development area consists of the paddocks nearest to the farm.  – the farm buildings are excluded.

The site allocations document proposed 120 to 140 dwellings on the whole site, and access from Grove Crescent (to the east of the site) through garage courts owned by Three Rivers.

The Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) requirement is proposed to be delivered off site, on an adjacent field. That allows for an increase in dwellings within the development site to 160.

The Green Party is not happy about the proposal for drainage and flood mitigation measures to be provided offsite in the adjoining green belt. The planners are accepting this, so there is little point in further arguing this point, so provided that the area used is designed and managed in a way to encourage wildlife and protect biodiversity. This will turn the current arable field with negligible biodiversity value into a place for wildlife.

 

Promoted by Andrew Gallagher on behalf of Chris Mitchell, all at 2 Uplands, Croxley Green WD3 4RD.

Sycamore Amenity Land – Protected

By ns | 31st January 2023

Following the inspectors decision to turn down the appeal for a planning permission on the Sycamore Road Amenity site, this has now been recommended to be removed from development. Chris Mitchell attended all the local plan meetings and ensured the officers had the inspectors report to show it should never be developed. Chris is very […]

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PETITION: Transfer The Green, Stones Orchard and the allotments to Croxley Green Parish Council

By ns | 26th January 2023

We are asking for The Green, Stones Orchard and the allotments in Croxley Green to be transferred from Three Rivers District Council to Croxley Green Parish Council. Sign the petition!  The land is enjoyed by many residents and it is already maintained by the Parish Council. The Parish Council maintains the land at no cost to […]

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VIDEO: Croxley Green Belt out of Local Plan

By Co-Chair | 20th January 2023

Good news! The District Council has decided that the proposal for 500 new homes by Rousebarn Lane will not be included in the Local Plan. Cllr Chris Mitchell says: “I have attended all the Local Plan committee meetings since being elected.  I have been able to speak up for Croxley Green and have been listened […]

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Open letter: Disown the government’s ‘attack on nature’

By Co-Chair | 7th October 2022

Three Rivers Green Party and Green Party Councillor Chris Mitchell have written to all local conservative councillors, calling on them to disown the governments ‘attack on nature’. The full letter reads: Dear Mr Mohindra and Three Rivers Conservative councillors, “This Government has today launched an attack on nature” ~ RSPB England There is widespread anger […]

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Students want safer school commutes

By Co-Chair | 7th October 2022

Cllr Chris Mitchell was honoured to be invited to talk with sustainability groups at both secondary schools in Croxley Green. He said: “It is wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm of young people trying to grapple with some of the most difficult issues facing humanity.” One of their main concerns was how they could […]

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Every Little Helps!

By Co-Chair | 7th October 2022

Members of Sustainable Three Rivers persuaded Tesco to power their van refrigeration with electricity. Previously, the diesel engines were running while stationary, contributing to harmful air pollution. Russell Ball and Rosi Jordon, with support from Green Party Councillor Chris Mitchell, managed to get Tesco to bring forward their plans and install electric charging points at […]

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Backtrack on biodiversity

By Co-Chair | 31st March 2022

The Liberal Democrats have backtracked on the grassland management policy (also called ‘no-mow’). It was first put forward by Independent Cllr Alex Michaels and the Council agreed to turn 50% of non-leisure grassland to meadow. The policy called for a ‘cut and lift’ method to encourage wildflowers and pollinators. However, in March, the report showed […]

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Chris Mitchell gains support of ex-Lib Dem

By Co-Chair | 31st March 2022

As an ex-Lib Dem, who left the party and went on to serve as an Independent Councillor, Alex Michaels is supporting Chris at the election on 5th May 2022. “I am concerned about the Council’s poor performance on its environmental and biodiversity policies. Never has the District Council needed a councillor like Chris more than […]

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VIDEO: Chris and Andrew discuss new solar panels

By Co-Chair | 31st March 2022

Green Party members Chris and Andrew discuss the recent installation of solar panels on Andrew’s home in Croxley Green. […]

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What is going to happen to the Red Cross Hall?

By Co-Chair | 15th March 2022

Chris Mitchell presented a petition signed by 555 local residents to Three Rivers District Council on 6th December 2021. An inaccurate statement from a Lib Dem Councillor was read out and no debate was allowed. The Parish Council has written to correct this. You can read the facts on Croxley Green Parish Council website. The […]

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