Six added carports at Site Of Former Greenside, London Road, Langley

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered four dwellings and six dwellings, while a proposal for eight dwellings was not supported in the Green Belt.

“24/00671/FP – Erection of six detached 4-bed dwellings following demolition of existing dwelling/outbuildings and builder yard buildings. (Amended plans received 13/08/24) – Approved 28/10/2024”

“21/01439/PRE – Erection of 8 dwellings with associated infrastructure. The reply concluded that 8 dwellings could not be supported in this Green Belt location as this would fail to comply with the NPPF para 154 exception g advice, as 8 dwellings would have a materially greater impact on the Green Belt than the buildings to be removed.”

Officer report

The site

The site is previously developed land in the Green Belt, where construction of the approved housing scheme had started.

“The application site, known as Greenside, is situated on the east side of London Road and within the settlement of Langley. The site was previously described as containing a dwellinghouse, builders’ yard, and ancillary outbuildings. This has since changed given the extant planning permission and the various discharge of conditions. Development on site has commenced.”

“The application site is situated within the Green Belt. The public rights of way footpath no.14 runs along the western boundary of the site outside of the red line planning application site area.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the carports limited, subordinate additions that would not substantially harm Green Belt openness, site character or parking provision.

“Paragraph 154(g) of the NPPF provides that the limited infilling or partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed land need not be regarded as inappropriate development in the Green Belt where it would not cause substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt.”

“The proposed carports would provide appropriate off-street parking for the six approved dwellings. Whilst some of the parking dimensions fall marginally short of those set out within the North Herts Design Code, the spaces remain functional and separate bin and cycle storage has already been agreed through the earlier conditions.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and archaeology made no comments, ecology found no significant impacts, environmental health had no objection, and no neighbour replies were received.

“HCC Ecology officer - the proposals are unlikely to have any significant ecological impacts; therefore the application can be determined accordingly.”

“The application has been advertised with a site noted erected 25 th June 2026, a press notice dated 25 th June 2026 and neighbour notification letters. No replies have been received. One email has been received however this did not include a full address and neither objected nor supported the scheme.”

Officer report

What was presented

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report with plans and photographs, and members asked questions about the proposal.

Members’ questions

The officer explained that the carports would remain open, could accommodate cars despite being slightly undersized, and raised no substantive parking concerns.

“A condition had been imposed to prevent the carports from being enclosed, ensuring they remain open and retained for vehicle parking.”

“Although the carports were slightly smaller than the standard as outlined in the Design Code due to separate bin and cycle storage. However, they were still capable of accommodating a car. • Parking provision had already been established under the previous permission, and the carports did not raise any substantive concerns regarding size or impact.”

Minutes