64 new homes at 26 Station Road, Welham Green

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing dwelling and structures and building 64 homes with new access, landscaping and infrastructure.

“LAND SOUTH OF WELHAM MANOR, AND WEST OF STATION ROAD, INCLUDING 26 STATION ROAD, WELHAM GREEN, AL9 7EL”

“DEMOLITION OF EXISTING DWELLING AND OTHER STRUCTURES ON SITE, AND ERECTION OF 64 NEW HOMES, INCLUDING NEW VEHICULAR, PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ACCESS TO STATION ROAD, PEDESTRIAN, CYCLE AND EMERGENCY ACCESS ONLY TO WELHAM MANOR, AND ASSOCIATED GROUNDWORKS, STRUCTURES, LANDSCAPING, SERVICES AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The 2.66-hectare site is a housing allocation on Welham Green’s southern edge, with fields, boundary planting, neighbouring homes and Green Belt beyond.

“The application site is housing allocation site HS45, which forms part of a larger housing allocation with site HS44 under Local Plan Policy SADM30 Housing Allocations in Welham Green for 84 dwellings.”

“Much of the site benefits from established boundary planting of varying quality that provides a defensible boundary with the Green Belt beyond. Of note are the four Oak trees on the western boundary, which provide a landmark feature in wider viewpoints from both within the site and beyond. No trees on the site are subject to a Tree Preservation Order.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and deferral

The application was deferred for highway advice about independent access to adjacent land, which later confirmed that access would not constrain housing numbers.

“Members will recall that this application was considered at the Development Management Committee (DMC) meeting on 24 July 2025. As set out in the minutes of the meeting, following detailed discussions at the meeting, Members decided to defer a decision on the application until the DMC meeting on 11 September 2025 to await the advice of Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) on a pre-application submission regarding access to the adjacent site at 24 Station Road.”

“The pre-application advice from HCC is that access from Station Road will not constrain the number of houses that can be built at 24 Station Road. Councillor Paul Zukowskyj’s objection to the application and request for it to be called-in was reported to Members on 24 July 2025. However, as set out in 4.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the homes acceptable in principle, well designed, suitably accessible and unlikely to cause unacceptable harm, subject to agreements and conditions.

“Subject to the proposals satisfying other site-specific and design considerations, including those set out within Policy SADM30, the principle of the proposed development is considered acceptable. Quality of design and impact on the character of the area…”

“The Government attaches great importance to the design of the built environment. The NPPF notes at paragraph 131 that good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. Paragraph 135 further advises that decisions should ensure developments will function well, be visually attractive, sympathetic to local character and establish a strong sense of place.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant supported approval, while a resident explained that access concerns had been resolved and no longer opposed the proposal.

The vote and decision

The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the report.

“Resolved: (For 10, Against 0, Abstain 0) That Planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report.”

Minutes