Grange Farm

DLP’s Planning and Research & Analysis teams are delighted to have assisted our clients Taylor Wimpey and Whiteacre Ltd secure planning permission for up to 186 dwellings and 59 units of Extra Care accommodation on land at Grange Farm, Bovingdon. DLP was first instructed in 2020 and prepared representations to support the site’s proposed allocation in the then Regulation 18 version of the emerging Dacorum Local Plan. Following a positive Officer recommendation for approval the Council’s Planning Committee resolved to grant permission in April 2024 and the Decision was issued within 6 months.

DLP acted for the site promoter to propose changes to the allocation that would further optimise the site’s potential for development and benefits to the local area. DLP and Whiteacre Ltd fostered a strong relationship with key stakeholders to establish priorities to enhance social infrastructure. Representations further reinforced the exceptional circumstances identified to amend the site’s designation as Green Belt. There followed significant delays to the Council’s Local Plan timetable although unlike many other proposed locations Grange Farm was retained as a draft allocation within a 2023 consultation on revised strategy proposals.

A Hybrid planning application for the site was submitted in August 2023 informed by community and stakeholder engagement and liaison with the local planning authority comprising both pre-application advice and input from the Design Review Panel. The application identified a package of very special circumstances for approving development in advance of the emerging Local Plan. These comprised matters both unique to the site and consistent with the borough’s acute unmet housing need. The application was put forward in-tandem with bespoke SANG proposals for mitigation of recreational impacts at the Beechwoods SAC.

Working with relevant stakeholders and statutory consultees as part of the determination process the promoters secured all of the key elements of their vision for the site. This included support for betterment of surface water drainage and the inclusion of housing for older people (acknowledging evidence provided by DLP). Hertfordshire County Council further accepted financial contributions as an appropriate means of securing future school places, freeing up land initially proposed for safeguarding by the local authority. The site was therefore able to secure provision of a minimum of 1.15ha community land for outdoor sport and recreation and construction of community buildings (Use Class F) including provision of scout's hut, community orchard, gardens, green space and landscaping.

The application was put forward with timescales that overlapped with the then-emerging Bovingdon Neighbourhood Plan, which was unable to propose land in the Green Belt for allocation. The application nonetheless received a high level of local support and was acknowledged to contribute towards several of the priorities identified by the Plan as well as according with relevant development management policies brought into force prior to the decision being issued.