A controversial application which has rocked Croxley for the past year has been refused to the delight of residents.
The application to build 160 dwellings on Killingdown Farm had come under fire from residents and councillors alike, with the most recent concern surrounding access to the site via narrow Little Green Lane.
At a Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) planning committee meeting on May 27 the application was unanimously refused by members.
Residents are over the moon with this decision after months of campaigning with a petition launched to save Little Green Lane and the Conservation Area.
Lib Dem Dickinsons ward Councillors Margaret Hofman and Dominic Sokalski spoke at the meeting to oppose the application. Both met with the developers several times to challenge their plans and spoke at all the planning committees to oppose the proposed development.
Cllr Margaret Hofman said she was glad to see Little Green Lane protected for generations to come.
She said: “This land was taken out of the Green belt by the government several years ago. The application put forward was insensitive to Croxley Green and its community. The plans to use the historic Little Green Lane as the sole access point was more than just about highways. It was a matter of permanent harm to the character of The Green.
“The use of Little Green Lane, a setting enjoyed by generations of our community, would make it urbanised and be lost to us forever.”
Croxley Green Parish Council councillor Chris Mitchell said it was a cross party effort to get the application refused and is pleased to see the Conservation Area protected.
He said: “The committee who spoke were all against it and it has been trued down mainly on the impact of the conservation area and the impact the access along Little green lane will have, including the loss of hedgerow.
“So great news for Croxley Green, but we await to see what the next move will be. I spoke at the public Inquiry in 2014 along with CPRE and Croxley Green Resident Association to try and stop this land from being take out of Green belt, but we lost that battle. So it will be developed as it is in the local plan, but we want to see a development that does not harm the Conservation Area and Village green.”
Hill, the developers have been contacted for comment.
Photo credit: Hoss Photography
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