Green light for Bengeo housing proposals

Plans to build 118 new homes on a green-field site in Bengeo were given the go-ahead by East Herts Council last night, following a three-hour meeting of the Development Management Committee (Wednesday 18th September 2024).

The plans will see 92 houses and 28 flats built on the site north of Bengeo, including 47 affordable homes (40%), with 33 of these Affordable Rent dwellings and 14 dwellings Shared Ownership. Parking for 294 vehicles will be provided and all houses will have private gardens.

The site was removed from the Green Belt in the 2018 Local Plan as part of the HERT4 designation. The housing allocation included 50 homes on the former Bengeo Nursery site and an additional 100 homes on the neighbouring green-field site to the immediate north. Development was conditional on the prior extraction of sand and gravel.

Following a three-year battle by Bengeo residents who opposed a planned quarry on Bengeo Field, the Secretary of State endorsed a decision by the Planning Inspectorate to reject the proposals for a quarry, following a public inquiry in to the county council's refusal of planning permission for sand and gravel extraction.

Despite development being conditional on the removal of sand and gravel, housebuilder Durkan submitted a planning application for 118 homes on the site in August 2023.

Opposition to the proposals centred on the green-field nature of the site, conditions on quarrying, and sustainability.

A protest group was established with a presence on Facebook.

A public consultation by the District Council received 1221 comments from the public, of which 1205 objected to the plans and 9 supported the proposals.

Many of those opposing the development were present at last night's meeting of the Development Management Committee and were allowed to speak ahead of discussion by councillors and planning officers.

However, a vote at the end of the evening saw a majority of the committee voting in favour of the development.

Two councillors opposed granting planning permisson, Cllr Vicky Burt (Green, Buntingford) and Cllr Rachel Cater (Green, Hertford Castle).

Meetings of the Development Management Committee are webcast and last night's 3-hour meeting can be viewed on Youtube.

Durkan Homes claim their scheme will help enhance the local landscape and ecology with new open spaces and children's play facilities, along with improved footpaths and cycling routes.

Reaction

Bengeo North Town, District and County Councillor Ben Crystall said: "Like many residents, I'm deeply frustrated that we're locked in a planning system that relies completely on organisations like the Environment Agency to protect us but that are so hollowed out they can't even properly look at the evidence in front of them. It's similar with infrastructure providers like Thames Water - we are forced to accept the word of for-profit organisations which have failed us all time and again. The only thing that cheers me up is the incredible tenacity and skills of the Bengeo community - the list of their planning objections in the officers report was staggering - it also listed out the 90 or so streets where people had stepped up to complain- pretty much the whole of our area… amazing."

Bengeo North Town and District Councillor Alex Daar said: "Bengeo Field is my 'go to place' for improving my mood and mental health. I have been involved in the fight to save it since the last quarry campaign and the development of the Neighbourhood Plan for Bengeo. I know how hard everyone has fought because we all love this field and its views so much. Our community spirit is vast and I feel we will continue to
work together to make Bengeo the best place it can be for all the people living in it."

Bengeo North Town and District Councillor Vicky Smith said: "I am deeply disappointed that we have lost this precious green space to a development that raised so many questions and concerns. The community spirit of Bengeo has shown through over the last few years as residents have worked together to fight this inappropriate application. And I thank everyone who has taken the time to join in the fight for Bengeo Field."

Bengeo North Town Council Green Candidate Robert Beahan said: "I'm so sad and disappointed that the Bengeo Field development is going ahead. It's such a beautiful space that holds a special place in my heart and I know in the hearts of many residents in Bengeo and it's just so frustrating to see yet another piece of our countryside being built on. I was incredibly impressed with the arguments put forward by the residents at East Herts Council's Development Management Committee and felt proud to stand alongside the three Green Bengeo councillors as they argued against the development. If I'm elected today as a Bengeo North Hertford Town Councillor I will do everything I can to continue to share residents' views and hold the local planning authority to account on their behalf."

AÅ›ka Pickering, Chair of the Save Bengeo Field campaign, said: "Campaigners and Hertford residents are hugely disappointed with the decision by East Herts District Council Development Management Committee (DMC) to approve the much opposed housing development application submitted by Durkan to build an  additional 118 dwellings on Bengeo Field. 

"Residents were shocked at the incompetence of the process, especially as the serious points raised by Save Bengeo Field representatives and Bengeo Councillors, were not given any weight or properly discussed. Both the Bengeo Neighbourhood Plan and the Planning Inspector, who rejected a quarrying application in Bengeo Field, were clear that the area has a unique landscape and views, is of special value to our community, and should therefore be protected. Much to our surprise, some of the DMC members seemed to suggest that landscape and amenity of the area were not a planning consideration! Officers tended to either second-guess some of the information (such as claiming that Bengeo residents can easily and safely cycle to Ware in 8 minutes, confusing information about bus services), or simply not respond to the questions asked.

"Unfortunately, the majority of Councillors have decided that the previous EHDC statements and reassurances to the public that no housing development would be allowed on Bengeo Field, unless it was quarried first, are no longer valid and voted in favour of the developer.

"We expected this to be an impartial quasi-judicial process with officers advising EHDC Councillors on the issues to weigh up, NOT predetermining the case and ignoring the views of large numbers of residents they represent. We are taking expert advice on the next steps we can take.

"We would like to thank all the residents and campaigners who provided continued support to Save Bengeo Field and joined us at the DMC meeting. We would like to thank particularly the speakers representing our views at the meeting: Veronica Fraser, John Howson, and Bengeo Councillors (Green): Ben Crystall, Alex Daar and Vicky Smith."

Bill Beyzade, Managing Director at Durkan Homes, said: "I'm pleased that we can now make our vision of a well-designed, high quality development a reality. These will be much-needed and sustainable homes, with a mix of house types for everyone.

"We have also committed to invest £4.2 million in the local community in areas such as education, healthcare, transport and leisure facilities. This means we can support important local services and leave a positive lasting legacy beyond the homes we are building. We now look forward to bringing the community to life, which we expect to start in 2025."

This article, including comments by Green candidate Robert Beahan, was published after polling stations in the town council by-election in Bengeo closed at 10pm.