A planning application to build more homes on green belt land at Rectory Farm in Kings Langley has been opposed by residents.
Cala Homes has submitted an application for 135 residential units and new community buildings to Dacorum Borough Council (DBC), which Kings Langley & District Residents’ Association (KL&DRA) believes will result in the loss of the remaining undeveloped green belt land at Rectory Farm.
This follows an application to build 55 residential dwellings on the site, which was approved in 2019.
Chair of KL&DRA Gary Ansell said: “This development is a step too far and we will be providing information via our website at www.greenbeltmatters.com/about-1 to encourage villagers to respond to the application.”
A spokesperson for Cala Homes said: “In 2020, Rectory Farm was allocated for development in DBC’s Draft Local Plan. Since mid-2021, we have partnered with the landowners, Angle Property, and have worked closely with the council and local stakeholders to draw up proposals.
“Alongside the 135 homes, 54 of which will be affordable, Angle Property and Cala have been working with local charity, Sunnyside Rural Trust, to open a community area with a café and farm shop, bike workshop, repair shed, and community space. The disused allotments will be revived and reopened to the public.
“As part of the engagement process, newsletters were sent to 2,496 households in the area. The majority of respondents supported the need for additional housing in Kings Langley.”
A spokesperson for DBC said: “DBC consulted on proposals in 2020 to allocate a site for 170 dwellings on land designated as green belt at Rectory Farm. This formed part of wider work on the Local Plan and the council is reviewing how it will take forward this and other proposals in light of comments received. Rectory Farm still remains protected by the green belt designation and the new application will need to be considered in light of this.”
Green belt land supposed to stay just that, green land!