Access road and bunds at Hilfield Lane, Aldenham

What was proposed

The application proposed a permanent access road and bellmouth, two bunds, drainage, landscaping and a biodiversity net gain strategy.

“DEVELOPMENT Construction of a new permanent access road and bellmouth onto Hilfield Lane; two bunds utilising excavated material from construction; and associated drainage, together with a landscaping scheme, and a biodiversity net gain (BNG) strategy.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 1.8-hectare site is Green Belt arable land beside existing electricity infrastructure, Hilfield Lane, agricultural fields and nearby commercial uses.

“The application site consists of two areas of land - one area of land amounting to an area of 0.85 hectares adjacent to the mostly southerly borders of National Grid’s existing land ownership with a second roughly rectangular area of land amounting to 0.95 hectares adjacent to the east of National Grid’s existing land ownership. The total site area is 1.8 hectares. The 2 areas and the extent of National Grids land ownership is shown on the plan below.”

“To the north-west is the existing National Grid site, beyond which is the settlement of Patchetts Green (approx. 0.3km); to the north the site adjoins agricultural fields, beyond which lies the village of Letchmore Heath (approx.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The relevant earlier matter was a 2019 request for an environmental impact assessment screening opinion, to which a response was given.

“The relevant planning history is as follows: -”

“Reference number Description Date and outcome 19/0887/EI1 Request for a screening opinion (Environmental Impact Assessment). July 2019 Response Given…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal met the relevant Green Belt tests and its energy, landscape and transport benefits outweighed identified harms.

“In accordance with Paragraph 155 of the NPPF, the development would fall to be grey-belt land and would not fundamentally undermine the purposes, taken together, of the remaining Green Belt across the area of the plan. There is a demonstrable unmet need for new energy infrastructure, and the development…”

“The proposed bunds would screen the ‘permitted development’ infrastructure, and the supporting woodland mix landscaping and wider supplementary hedge planting would assist in integrating these features into the surrounding landscape. Whilst the removal of the hedgerow required to facilitate the site access would open up views into the site and alter the rural character of Hilfield Lane, the scheme does include mitigation hedgerow within this location.”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

Highways, National Highways, flood and environmental consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while local groups raised traffic and environmental concerns.

“Consultee Summary of Response HCC Highways No objections subject to conditions for the vehicular access and visibility splays, and off-site highway works to be undertaken. National Highways No objection. HCC Ecology Are content that protected species have been adequately surveyed for, and have either been found to have limited or negligible potential at the site or where potential has been found, adequate mitigation is proposed.”

“Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) - Senior Flood Risk And SuDS Officer No objection subject to Conditions. Environment Agency No objections. HCC Archaeology Advise that the proposed development is unlikely to have a significant impact on heritage assets of archaeological interest. No conditions are required to address archaeology.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An agent spoke for the application on behalf of the applicant.

Members’ discussion

Members commended the application, noting local community satisfaction and the benefits of upgrading the electricity grid.

“Members commended the application, noting the satisfaction of the local community and benefits of the grid upgrades.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members agreed the recommendation unanimously, with 11 votes in favour and no votes against or abstentions.

“-PL 18- It was proposed by: Councillor D Lambert, seconded by Councillor C Gray that the recommendations as set out in the report be agreed.”

“For: (11 total) – Councillors H Green, M Handley, A Kaza, P Morris, C Gray, M Amron, M Allen, D Lambert, N Susman, S Quilty, L Silver. Against: (0 total) – No votes. Abstain: (0 total) – No votes. Total votes cast: 11”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the listed conditions, with officers authorised to amend details appropriately and reflect the 2026 national planning framework.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions listed at the end of the report, with delegation to Officers to amend the details as appropriate and update it in line with the new National Planning Policy Framework 2026.”

Minutes