14 dwellings with green technology at Stevenage Road, St Ippolyts

The site and surroundings

The 1.2-hectare site is between Stevenage Road and Sperberry Hill, beside existing homes, a footpath, an agricultural field and a sub-station.

“The site lies between two public highways to its north and south (Stevenage Road, and Sperberry Hill, respectively). A public footpath runs along the east side of the site and connects the two above public highways. Stevenage Road is narrow for much of its length, with pedestrian footways approx. 330m to the NW. Vehicular access from Stevenage Road to Sperberry Hill is closed by barriers near dwelling Ryefield to the east.”

“The site is adjacent to two storey dwellings to the east, west and north. To the NE is the Wymondley Electrical sub-station. To the south is an agricultural field. The site is allocated Housing Site SI2 within the settlement boundary of St Ippolyts and Gosmore, which is a Category A village in the Local Plan.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and construction

Earlier housing applications were refused and appeals dismissed, while permission for 14 dwellings was granted in February 2025 and construction has started.

“01/00348/1 - 5 Detached dwelling houses (Outline Application - All matters reserved) - Refused 31/05/01 for: 1. The proposed dwellings are in an area that is designated in the approved County Structure Plan Review 1991-2011 and the North Hertfordshire District Local Plan No 2 with Alterations as Green Belt. Within that area there exists a general presumption against new housing development.”

“19/01669/FP – Erection of 14 dwellings including new vehicular access off Sperberry Hill (serving 4 dwellings) and new vehicular access off Stevenage Road (serving 10 dwellings). Conditional permission – granted 11 th February 2025.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Environmental health raised no objection, drainage and fire services had no comment, archaeology retained conditions, and four affordable homes were expected.

“NHDC Environmental Health – no objection.”

“NHDC Housing Officer – this is an allocated housing site, and with 14 dwellings being proposed, 25% should be affordable housing. This will be four dwellings and they should be 2 x 2-bed, 1 x 2-bed and 1 x 3-bed homes.”

Officer report

Questions and contributions

Members asked questions, and the planning officer explained the intended use of heat pumps and solar panels and the position on gas boilers.

The committee’s debate

Members considered the heat pumps and solar panels positive, while questioning why gas boilers were being installed if they might soon be banned.

“The following Members took part in the debate:”

“Air source heat pumps and solar panels were positive and there was no reason to reject the application. • If gas boilers were soon to be banned, then why were they being installed at all.”

Minutes

The vote

Permission was proposed by Councillor Emma Fernandes, seconded by Councillor Dave Winstanley, and then approved by vote.

“Councillor Emma Fernandes proposed to grant permission and this was seconded by Councillor Dave Winstanley.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was granted subject to the conditions in the officer report, with highway conditions carried forward from the earlier permission.

“The Principal Planning Officer (Development Management) provided a verbal update on matters relating to application 25/01579/S73 and advised that an updated response had not been received from the Highways Officer and consequently, the conditions on the parent application relating to highways had been rolled forward to this application.”

“RESOLVED: That application 25/01579/S73 be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.”

Minutes