Three detached dwellings at Green Bloom Nursery, Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing three existing buildings and constructing three detached family homes with access and a pedestrian link.

“The application seeks planning permission for the demolition of the existing buildings at the site and the construction of three detached family dwellings.”

“Vehicular access to the site is to be via the new access off Flaunden Lane granted under planning permissions 24/02830/FUL and 25/01832/ROC. A pedestrian connection to the bus stop to the south of the site will be provided between the proposed dwellings and the adjacent development.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a 0.49-hectare paddock in the Green Belt between Bovingdon and Chipperfield, with animal shelters and mature landscape buffers.

“The application site is located within the Green Belt between the villages of Bovingdon and Chipperfield. It is located to the northwest of the crossroads at Chipperfield Road and Flaunden Lane and to the northwest of the former Green Bloom Nursery site.”

“The application site contains three basic single storey buildings used as animal shelters. There are mature landscape buffers on the western boundary of the site and between the southern boundary of the site and Chipperfield Road.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and enforcement

Earlier permissions nearby allowed two homes, now under construction; an enforcement investigation found raised ground levels but no case to pursue.

“September 2025. This scheme is currently under construction.”

“An enforcement case (E/25/00181/ENG) was received on the 6 th June 2025 alleging engineering operations being undertaken at the site. The case was duly investigated with the officer concluding that ground levels across the site had been raised approximately 35cm above the original level.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the site grey belt and suitable for housing, with acceptable design, transport, heritage, neighbour amenity and highway effects.

“The application site comprises “grey belt” land upon which the construction of new residential developments is acceptable in accordance with paragraph 155 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Policy CS5 of the Core Strategy.”

“The proposed development is acceptable in terms of its layout, scale and design and would provide a high-quality development in accordance with Policies CS10 and CS12 of the Core Strategy, Policy BOV H3 of the Bovingdon Neighbourhood Plan and the Dacorum Strategic Design Guide. This has been carefully designed to avoid any significant harm to the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The case officer introduced the application and explained that it had been referred because of parish council objections.

The committee vote

The proposal to delegate approval was supported by eight members, opposed by one, with one abstention.

“It was proposed by Councillor Maddern and seconded by Councillor Patterson to DELEGATE with a view to APPROVAL.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was delegated with a view to approval, subject to a planning obligation securing mitigation payments and planning conditions.

“Resolved: That planning permission be DELEGATED with a VIEW TO APPROVAL. RECOMMENDATION”

“It is recommended that planning permission is DELEGATED with a VIEW TO APPROVAL subject to the completion of a planning obligation and conditions:”

Minutes