St Ippolyts: More than 150 objections to Green Belt development

Countryside Properties have submitted an application to build 52 dwellings in St Ippolyts, on land behind Waterdell Lane.

The plans also include open spaces, landscaping, the building of a play area and access roads, but they have face strong opposition.

154 objections have been made to the development, with many taking issue with Green Belt land being built on, while others raised concerns about the plan exceeding Local Plan limits.

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The plans would see the development built on the Green Belt. (Image: North Herts Council)

"I endorse with the compelling arguments submitted by many local residents, in particular regarding the loss of Green Belt land and the additional stresses placed on local infrastructure and services," said one St Ippolyts resident.

"This development is unacceptable, unreasonable and inappropriate."

"The development endangers local wildlife, destroys habitat and woodland," said another.

"I strongly object to this development."

The latest application has seen Countryside Properties revise their original plans for 62 homes on the land, with one resident accusing them of attempting a "speculative land grab".

"It seems astonishing that Countryside Properties can make a planning application for 62 homes on Green Belt land whilst the draft Local Plan is still under consideration," they wrote.

"It is even more astonishing that the same company can make an amended application for 52 homes.

"This is a speculative land grab and put simply is the wrong development in the wrong place."

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Major concerns about the proposal have been raised by residents. (Image: Countryside Properties)

Another wrote: "Our biggest issue is that the proposed number of homes is still 52, which is our opinion is too many for this site. This has to be reduced.

"The only other change we can see is that a landscape buffer has been introduced along the south west boundary, which is a welcome addition.

"Otherwise it just seems to be refinement of the December 2021 submission."

Some village residents have raised serious concerns about school places in and around St Ippolyts, with one saying: "The development of this area is completely unnecessary.

"Hitchin is already a massively overpopulated town for its facilities, especially the schools which are already oversubscribed.

"When we moved to this area my children both sat on a waiting list for months before being finally allocated a school place.

"We don't have a housing shortage problem. We have an overpopulation problem. Please don't approve this planning application. Let's keep some green space please."