Council has set a precedent with development (From Borehamwood Times)

Council has set a precedent with development

1:24pm Friday 29th January 2010

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Shame on you, Hertsmere Borough Council, for supporting the greedy “garden grabbers”. You have set a precedent in the area by approving the development of a three-bedroom detached house in the garden of 15 Mornington Road, Radlett. The building is to be crammed against neighbours’ boundaries, with no rear garden of its own. It is to be in the style of a chalet, clad in timber and therefore totally out of character with the surrounding buildings.

You are very keen to promote your green credentials, yet you have allowed another green space to be desecrated, mature trees to be torn down and a natural habitat to be destroyed for ever.

You had every opportunity to refuse this application — it did not meet several of your published design guidelines, more than 15 residents objected, Aldenham Parish Council and the Green Belt Society described it as “a gross over–development” — and yet you were determined it should go ahead.

You didn’t even have the decency to address many of the issues residents raised. While other councils are at least trying to protect residents from the threat of greedy garden grabbers, you have actively supported them and I wonder why.

Could it be that you are so desperate to meet your new housing targets that you will allow anything to be built at the expense of residents? Could it be that you are a weak and gutless council that is too frightened to refuse applications in case they lead to an expensive appeal process? Or is there a more sinister reason?

Hertsmere residents beware — a precedent has been set — you might well be the next victim of the greedy garden grabbers and a council who couldn’t care less.

Alison Parsons, Mornington Road, Radlett

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