Hertfordshire Village Set to Grow as Permission Granted for Four Family Homes

A modest extension to the Hertfordshire village of Walkern will proceed after we submitted a successful planning application for our client to build four family homes.

“This undeveloped parcel of land is located outside the settlement boundary, beyond East Herts Council’s preferred development area,” explains our associate director, Aleks Pantazis, who led the application.

“To overcome this, our planning strategy focused on establishing the principal of residential development, highlighting national planning policy and a previously successful appeal decision on adjoining land. Our argument effectively demonstrated several key points.

“Firstly, that the Council’s housing supply position remains significantly below the five-year requirement, so this development would contribute to the shortfall. Secondly, the site’s proximity adjacent to the village boundary represented an appropriate, logical and sustainable extension. It is well-contained by protected open spaces to the north and east, which would act as a natural barrier to further development.

“Finally, the local Neighbourhood Plan recognises the importance of incremental development that respects the village character and provides housing choice. The approved proposals complete the existing run of houses along Winters Lane in a way that is efficient, in keeping with the pattern of development, and respectful of environmental constraints.

“This positive decision demonstrates how carefully considered planning can unlock underutilised land to deliver quality homes in sustainable village locations,” concludes Aleks.

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