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Green Belt Village Faces Housing Surge Threat
17 Jul
Summary
- English village famous for filming faces a 50% rise in new homes.
- Campaigners accuse the government of overriding green belt protections.
- Proposed developments contradict the village's own neighborhood plan.
Sarratt, a village renowned for its role in filming iconic movies such as 'Four Weddings and a Funeral,' is currently facing a substantial threat of development. A significant rise in planning applications seeks to introduce 289 new homes, an increase of over 53%, within the village's green belt boundaries. This proposed expansion is viewed by many as an attempt to meet housing targets at the expense of protected land.
Local residents and action groups express deep concern, stating the village is "under siege" and that planning law currently favors developers. They point out that the large-scale developments contradict a recently approved neighborhood plan designed to preserve the area's rural character with smaller homes and bungalows. The village's location within the Metropolitan green belt and its designation as a "washed-over" green belt village necessitate strict development controls.
Concerns are also being raised about potential changes to planning rules that could further sideline local decision-making. Gagan Mohindra, the MP for South West Hertfordshire, has voiced strong opposition, emphasizing the need to protect the green belt and the character of historic rural areas. Despite these objections, some developers involved in the larger schemes have highlighted the potential benefits of their "high quality" projects and expressed a willingness to collaborate with local stakeholders.
