Plan for 65 flats on West Herts College site in Kings Langley refused

Members of Three Rivers District Council's planning committee decided the proposal at the West Herts College site in Kings Langley was "too big and high".

They also felt not enough parking was proposed.

Developer Bellway Homes had submitted a full application to knock down the college in Home Park Mill Link Road and replace it with a five-storey building of 65 one and two-bed apartments.

The scheme had been recommended for approval by the council's planning officer - and outline planning permission for a building of up to 65 flats had already been secured in 2019.

But eight councillors decided to vote against the detailed and final proposal put before them, which did not include any affordable housing.

West Herts College building in Kings Langley. Credit: Three Rivers District Council

Councillor Sara Bedford led the debate on the application on Thursday, describing the proposed building as "just too high" for the location, with other councillors on the committee also raising concerns about the size.

The scheme proposed 73 car parking spaces but she said this was "too few" and the proximity of the site to the M25 means residents will be "dependant" on cars.

Councillors also dismissed the idea that just because the site is close to Kings Langley station does not mean people will not have cars.

Although the flats will be a mixture of one and two-bed, there are 36 two-beds capable of housing four adults.

Alan Anderson, who lives in Kings Langley, spoke against the application.

He said: "The height and density of the building is wholly out of keeping with the setting on the edge of the village. It is much higher than the surrounding buildings."

Mr Anderson described the proposal as a "high rise" saying it should be located "in the middle of cities and towns".

A screenshot from the planning portal showing a drawing of the proposed scheme, Millworks, which was refused

Planning agent for the scheme, Jo Unsworth, described the proposal as a "high quality, attractive development", and pointed out to councillors the level of parking is the same as what was agreed when outline permission was granted.

But when it came to the vote, only three councillors voted in favour of the scheme, with eight voting against.

Bellway Homes completed the purchase of the college site in the summer of 2020, and is part of a move which sees West Herts College students in Kings Langley move to a new college building in Hemel Hempstead.