Nine residential dwellings at Land Adjoining, Sarratt Lane, Loudwater

What was proposed

The application proposed nine detached five-bedroom homes, access, parking, landscaping, passing bays and a rerouted public footpath.

“Description of Proposed Development 3.1 This application seeks planning permission for the construction of 9no. residential dwellings (Use Class C3), with associated rerouting of public footpath, access, parking and landscaping works. The application proposes nine detached dwellings. Each dwelling would have five bedrooms, a rear garden and front driveway for 2 cars. The dwellings in Plots 1&8, 2&5, 3&4 and 7&9 would be pairs of the same dwelling.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The open field site lies beside Sarratt Lane in the Green Belt and a conservation area, with protected trees, woodland and a public footpath.

“Relevant Planning History 1.1 No relevant planning history. Description of Application Site 2.1 The application site is located on the eastern side of Sarratt Lane in Loudwater. It is currently an open parcel of field land with an area of 1.18Ha. The site has an existing vehicle access to the north and a Public Right of Way / footpath (Sarratt 061) which runs diagonally through the centre from the southern corner to northern corner of the site.”

Officer report

Concerns about the footpath

The Ramblers objected that diverting the footpath beside the lane would remove its open countryside character, while officers said it would remain separated from the lane.

“Number consulted: 11 4.1.11 No of responses received: 71 objections. Site Notice: 05.09.2025 Press Notice: 13.09.2025 4.1.13 Summary of Responses: • Impact on Green Belt • Conservation Area and character impacts • Highway safety impact/increased traffic • Unsustainable location • Construction impacts • Wildlife impacts • Infrastructure capacity concerns • Poor existing street lighting • Precedent • Site is an important green corridor • Additional passing bays…”

“Officer comment: Officers note the comments above however as a point of clarification the footpath would be separated from the lane itself and would be sited within the site itself with a vegetative buffer between the two.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident spoke against the proposal, and a councillor also spoke on the application.

The vote

A motion to refuse was proposed with the ecology reason removed and neighbourhood plan references added to three reasons; the vote was unanimous.

“(i) removal of reason for refusal 5; and (ii) amendment of reasons for refusal 2, 3 and 6 to include reference to the Sarratt Neighbourhood Plan.”

“On being put to the vote this was carried, the voting being unanimous.”

Minutes