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.”
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.
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