A PLANNING application to build three houses in a street between Potter Street and Church Langley has been rejected by the planning committee.

The exact location was Kingsdon Lane but if the application was successful an access route would be created in Belfield Gardens in Church Langley.

Officers had recommended it for approval.

Mr Steve Nelson of Bellfield Gardens spoke against the proposal and detailed his objections.

They were:

1. Loss of light to his property as well as invasion of privacy.
2. The houses are out of character.
3. Access for emergency services

Fellow Belfield Gardens resident Raymond Cleghorn also detailed a number of reasons as to why their family were objecting.

Church Langley councillor Andrew Johnson also spoke.

He described it as “development by stealth”.

Amongst his many points included an observation regarding traffic

Cllr Johnson said: “I noticed that this week, the council are asking for help regarding bin lorries getting down tight roads such as Belfield Gardens but this planning application appears to view adding more cars to the street as acceptable.”

Speaking on behalf of the clients, Martin Patey of MP Architects told the committee that there was always plans to build on this infill.

He also pointed out that this “positive addition to Belfield Gardens…and this would not have impact on a lot of the 86 people who objected.”

The council planning officer went on to answer questions from the local councillors on access and privacy.

Cllr Mike Danvers was particularly critical of the application making specific reference to Kingsdon Lane being a conservation area as well as making sure hedgerows are protected.

Cllr Mike Garnett detailed how the application was at variance with the new local plan.

Cllr Mike Hardware was equally damning: “This tries to fit in and it fails miserably”.

All ten councillors reacted the application.

The whole item can be viewed from the 1hr 20 min point of the film.