Boyer achieves planning consent on appeal for new homes in Hertfordshire Green Belt

Leading planning and design consultancy, Boyer (part of Leaders Romans Group) has secured planning permission on behalf of Burlington Property Group for the development of 92 homes and a new doctors surgery on two parcels of land at Church Lane in Sarratt, Hertfordshire. The two planning applications had previously been refused by Three Rivers District Council but were successful on appeal.

The planning consent is for two sites, one of 5.5 hectares and a second of 0.7 hectares. Of the 92 homes delivered across the two sites, 48 will be affordable homes of various tenures, while nine will be self/custom-build homes.  On the larger site, a new doctor’s surgery will be delivered, replacing the existing, cramped facility in the village, thereby enhancing the patient experience and supporting the local growing and aging population.

The original planning applications had been refused primarily due to the sites being within the Green Belt, associated landscape harm and their location in a less sustainable part of the District. However, the Inspector found that the considerable scheme benefits, especially the proposals ability to address an acute housing need locally, outweighed the identified harm.

Philip Allin, Director in Boyer’s London office said:

‘We are incredibly pleased to have achieved this approval on behalf of Burlington Property Group.  We believe the proposals will make a real difference, allowing local people to get onto the housing ladder while providing a truly fit-for-purpose surgery that will deliver benefits to the wider community’.

Nathan Stevenson, Land Director of Burlington Property Group said:

‘We are delighted to have secured outline planning approval for these two important schemes in Sarratt. The development will deliver a range of benefits for the local community including a brand new purpose built GP surgery, enabling shorter waiting times and improved access to doctors. Furthermore, in providing over 50% affordable housing, the development will go some way to assist Three Rivers in delivering much needed new family homes.’

It is envisaged that work could commence on site towards the end of 2025 and will complete within approximately two years.

In achieving planning success, Boyer as part of a project team including i-Transport, Pegasus Group, EFM, Tetlow King Planning and Clyde & Co.