Caravan site plans for land between Langleybury Lane and Old House Lane 'is threat to Green Belt' - Hertfordshire

From the Watford Observer

People living near a proposed Gypsy caravan site have described the plans as a "creeping invasion of the Green Belt".

An application was submitted to Three Rivers District Council to develop three Gypsy pitches for the stationing of caravans on a section of land between Langleybury Lane and Old House Lane.

The land is within the Green Belt and already has two temporary pitches, which were granted after an appeal. Locals have raised concerns that implementing another and making the current two permanent would be in contravention of the Green Belt.

Objections have been submitted to Three Rivers District council ahead of their decision.

A resident of Penmans Green, Chipperfield, said: "We do not wish to have any further developments on this site. It is a creeping invasion of the Green Belt."

A resident of Bucks Hill, Kings Langley, added that the site is in contravention of Green Belt and should not be allowed.

Another resident, also of Bucks Hill, said: "The objections at the appeal for the temporary site included the fear that the owners would seek to expand the site. This they are doing in flagrant disregard of planning. The site has now become a mess and a blot on the landscape. We feel that the granting of permanent status would lead to further deterioration of the site."

The district council consulted with landscape officer, Terence Flynn, who said he has no objection to the proposed scheme.

A spokesperson for Chandlers Cross Residents Association said: "The application is for a development which is inappropriate within the Green Belt and does harm to the openness and character of this location.

"Local residents have complained that, since the site has been developed, there has been an increase in traffic along Old House Lane, which causes traffic problems on the single track lane.

"There are no very special circumstances to justify changing the current temporary permission. The application should therefore be refused and the temporary permission retained until it expires and Three Rivers District Council have the opportunity to resolve the site occupancy issue in accordance with the amended local plan."