WAREHOUSING NEXT TO ALDENHAM RESERVOIR

save HERTSMERE - object to planning 22/2147/OUT

22/2147/OUT - WAREHOUSING NEXT TO ALDENHAM RESERVOIR

Reasons to Object

The proposed site is protected Green Belt land which has good soil quality of 3.5 BMV. As a fertile natural open space, it is biodiverse in plant and wildlife which would be lost should development occur.
The industrial nature of the proposed development, its scale and size and its close proximity to Aldenham Reservoir would have a negative impact on the setting and leisure amenity value of the Reservoir. Furthermore the proposed development would harm the historic setting of Elstree Village.
The proposed development – both in construction and operation – would produce noise pollution for both local residents and visitors to Composers Park, Aldenham Reservoir and Aldenham Country Park.

The proposed development offers only one site access via Watford Road, which is a busy, narrow and bendy road. This therefore presents a serious safety hazard.
The proposed site would generate daily traffic estimated at 1214 HGV, vans and cars which is an excessive amount of increased traffic onto Watford Road and the local road network which are already under strain. This large and increased traffic volume would impact air quality.
In 2015 Planning was Refused for Liberty Aldenham to build 150 houses on the site in order to generate income for the Reservoirs repair and future maintenance. The Planning Committee decided that Liberty Aldenham did not have Very Special Circumstances and that the Reservoir and lands opposite were separate and distinct so there was no case for ‘enabling development‘. Fast forward to 2023 and this outline planning application presents no different grounds.

OUR GREEN BELT IS UNDER ATTACK, AT SERIOUS RISK AND NEEDS YOUR HELP

Dear Hertsmere Green Belt supporter,

Thank you for being part of the 18,000 objections against Hertsmere’s draft Local Plan which proposed building over 2,500 acres (almost 15%) of our entire Green Belt.

Your support and objections forced our Councillors to listen and shelve the plan. However, by not providing an acceptable draft Local Plan the first time around, this has put our Green Belt at risk. Without a five-year housing supply, our Green Belt is now open to developer destruction.

Our Local Councillors are there to represent us, so they should be rejecting ALL Green Belt proposals until we as residents can be properly consulted on a new and better Local Plan.

Numerous applications on the Green Belt have been submitted since the Plan was shelved and since approved. The map below highlights the danger facing us all.

We must continue to work together to object to these applications and ensure our elected Councillors listen to us the residents of Hertsmere.

Over the summer, and with an updated website, Save Hertsmere will re-connect with all local ‘Save’ Groups who promise to protect our Green Belt. We therefore need your continued support.

If you are a local action group working to protect the Green Belt in your area of Hertsmere, or wish to join our campaign, please contact us at: savehertsmeregreenbelt@gmail.com to join up and work with us, as together we are stronger.

Object now and register your views

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Dear Sir/Madam Please find below my objections to planning application 22/2147/OUT. This objection should be taken as my separate and individual submission in accordance with your agreed policy. Erection of industrial / distribution floorspace (Use Class E/ B2 / B8), a flexible office/hub building (Use Class E), new vehicular access, and associated provision of car and cycle parking and landscaping. (Outline Application to include Access, all other Matters Reserved) Liberty Aldenham privately own Aldenham Reservoir and the Green Belt Land directly opposite on Watford Road, Elstree. As Reservoir owners they are legally wholly responsible for the the maintenance and upkeep of Aldenham Reservoir. Liberty Aldenham have put forward an Outline Planning Application Ref: 22/2147/OUT for a large industrial/ warehouse development on the land opposite which covers 15 acres of quality Green Belt land. Reasons for Objection: – The proposed site is protected Green Belt land which has good soil quality of 3.5 BMV. As a fertile natural open space, it is biodiverse in plant and wildlife which would be lost should development occur. – The industrial nature of the proposed development, its scale and size and its close proximity to Aldenham Reservoir would have a negative impact on the setting and leisure amenity value of the Reservoir. Furthermore the proposed development would harm the historic setting of Elstree Village. – The proposed development – both in construction and operation – would produce noise pollution for both local residents and visitors to Composers Park, Aldenham Reservoir and Aldenham Country Park. -The proposed development offers only one site access via Watford Road, which is a busy, narrow and bendy road. This therefore presents a serious safety hazard. -The proposed site would generate daily traffic estimated at 1214 HGV, vans and cars which is an excessive amount of increased traffic onto Watford Road and the local road network which are already under strain. This large and increased traffic volume would impact air quality. -In 2015 Planning was Refused for Liberty Aldenham to build 150 houses on the site in order to generate income for the Reservoirs repair and future maintenance. The Planning Committee decided that Liberty Aldenham did not have Very Special Circumstances and that the Reservoir and lands opposite were separate and distinct so there was no case for ‘enabling development‘. Fast forward to 2023 and this outline planning application presents no different grounds. – This Outline Planning Application presents no direct benefit to the local community or to its residents. There is no local requirement for an industrial warehouse development nor for office space provision. The full beneficiary of this Outline Planning Application would be Liberty Aldenham who would see their property portfolio enlarged, secured and more profitable to the detriment of 15 acres of Green Belt. Thank you for your time in considering these objections and for your commitment to upholding the principles of sustainability and consistency in planning. Yours sincerely,

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Alternative ways to object and have your say.

Email your MP's and councillors

Hertsmere Planning Department consult.planning@hertsmere.gov.uk

And… why not email your local councillors!

You can copy the text from our email.

Oliver Dowden MP
oliver.dowden.mp@parliament.uk

Cllr Morris Bright – Leader of Hertsmere Council

morris.bright@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Cllr Harvey Cohen – Portfolio holder for Planning at Hertsmere Council

cllr.Harvey.Cohen@hertsmere.gov.uk

Cllr Caroline Clapper – Aldenham West

cllr.caroline.clapper@hertsmere.gov.uk

In writing

Planning Department
Hertsmere Borough Council
3 Elstree Way
Borehamwood
WD6 9SR