New plans for 100 homes in Buntingford submitted
PLANS for 100 homes in Buntingford has been submitted by developers only a month after another development on the same road was refused permission.
The outline planning application for land south of Hare Street Road was submitted to East Herts Council yesterday by developer Wheatley Homes, who began consultation with residents in November last year.
A spokesman for Wheatley Homes said: “We have submitted our planning application to East Herts Council in anticipation that Taylor Wimpey will shortly appeal the council’s recent decision to reject their proposals for 160 new homes in Buntingford.
“We would have preferred to wait for the council to publish its District Plan before submitting a planning application, but it is important that we submit our application now, to demonstrate that there is a suitable alternative site available in Buntingford.
“The evidence base for the draft District Plan suggests that Buntingford will require new homes and we are confident that our proposals for 100 homes will fall within the eventual housing allocation for the town.”
Harry Brady, spokesman for campaign group Buntingford Action for Responsible Development (BARD), said: “We have only just been made aware of the Wheatley Homes outline planning application, and we will be reviewing it carefully before providing full comment.
“However, we are disappointed that Wheatley Homes has made this submission so early.
“After the rejection of the Taylor Wimpey planning application in December, Wheatley has little excuse to press ahead without first seeing the District Plan.”
Last month, Buntingford residents celebrated after Taylor Wimpey’s proposed development for 160 homes on the opposite side of the road was rejected by the development control committee at East Herts Council.
But campaigners accepted then that the battle was not the only one they faced. Speaking at the time, Mr Brady said: “The Taylor Wimpey bid was just one of many in the precious countryside on the town’s doorstep.
“Developers who are planning similar applications should take careful note of the community and district council’s response.”
