47-home residential development at Crow Furlong, Hitchin

What consultees said

Most consultees raised no objection, while ecology initially objected to some details and the flood authority requested amended drainage conditions.

“HCC Ecology – Objection to some parts of discharge of conditions related to ecology.”

“HCC Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) – Initial objection has been addressed. No objection to s73 changes but suggested amended wording of previous conditions 10 and 11.”

Officer report

What residents said

Fourteen comments included thirteen objections about overdevelopment, roads, active travel, services, hedgerows, trees, flooding and access rights.

“Objection to overdevelopment of the site • Impact on local road network • Lack of active travel routes along Upper Tilehouse Street • Highway safety of Crow Furlong with reference to the footpath link from the site • Impact on local services and infrastructure • Objection to removal of hedgerow for privacy, light pollution and visual amenity • Note that protected trees on site are not shown • Concern about surface water management from existing site and impact of…”

“There were no comments on the proposed substation or changes to the design of the homes on site. Many of the objections relate to ‘in principle’ matters. This application merely seeks to amend previously approved plans. The extant permission ref 22/03092/FP secured contributions towards local services and infrastructure, and highway improvements including active and sustainable travel projects.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application, and the applicant’s speaker supported it, highlighting layout, landscaping, sustainability, affordable housing and highways matters.

What members debated

Members discussed the substation, footpaths, housing mix, solar panels, sustainability, landscaping, affordable housing and the need to maintain any Section 106 commitments.

“The Hill Group were an award-winning housebuilder. • This site was allocated in the Local Plan and planning permission for 47 new homes was granted back in March 2024. • This application proposed improved layout of homes and also improvements to the landscaping. • The substation to the northeast of the site would help to achieve sustainability targets of the Council. • All homes would have air sourced heat pumps and EV charging points installed.”

“The extra bedrooms provided in the affordable housing should be seen as a benefit. • A slight change in the housing mix was acceptable. • Each planning application was assessed on its own merits and it was not a necessity in planning terms to install solar panels on energy efficient homes.”

Minutes