Anger as homes plan gets the go-ahead

RESIDENTS say they are appalled that planning permission has been granted for 100 new homes in Royston.

The development, at Ivy Farm, off Baldock Road, was given the go-ahead by planning chiefs at North Herts District Council at a meeting last week.

Outline permission was granted by the council, and 40 per cent of the homes built will be allocated to social housing.

Campaigners living near the site have fought hard against the plans, and several attended the meeting to make their feelings clear.

In a statement, the residents’ action group said: “Local people are appalled that this special Royston site, directly opposite Therfield Heath, a triple site of special scientific interest, and the rural entrance to Royston from the south, should be used for such a high density of housing.

“Planning permission was given despite the fact that this application is contrary to the local development plan and is outside the Royston development limits.”

The group’s spokesman added that they did not believe planning permission would have been granted if the applicant had not agreed to such a high percentage of affordable housing.

“This is the only site in North Herts with this level of social housing,” he said.

A spokesman for North Herts District Council said: “The approved scheme at Ivy Farm will deliver a mix of market and affordable two- storey homes with the affordable element at the new LDF proportion of 40 per cent (25 per cent being the Local Plan proportion).

“All of the dwellings will reach the higher environmental standard of Code 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes – a standard never before achieved in the district on a scheme of this size.

“As the permission was in outline only, a further application seeking approval for the details of the scheme will now have to be submitted.

“This will be the subject of further consultation with local residents.”