Killingdown Farm: 160 homes to be decided by public inquiry

In May, Three Rivers District Council rejected a proposal for houses and flats at Killingdown Farm in Croxley Green.

Councillors were concerned about the impact the development would have on Croxley Green Conservation Area and its Grade II listed buildings.

Members also had doubts about widening Little Green Lane, fearing it would "urbanise" the area.

The refusal was welcomed by the local community; more than 300 objections were lodged on the planning portal and nearly 2,500 signed a petition.

The applicants, simply listed as 'Hill' in documents, appealed the council's refusal and now it will be up to a Government-appointed planning inspector to make a final decision.

Marked in red is the land at Killingdown Farm earmarked for homes. Credit: Google Maps

The public inquiry for the Killingdown Farm proposal, of which 45 per cent of the scheme is proposed to be affordable housing, is scheduled to take place from 10am on November 30.

It will take place virtually and the applicant and interested parties will have opportunities to state why the refusal should or should not be overturned.

Once all of the evidence has been presented to the inspector, they will make a decision taking into account national and local planning policies. It can take some months before a final decision is issued.

Related: Plans for 160 homes at Killingdown Farm in Croxley Green refused

Related: Appeal submitted after plans for 160 homes at farm refused

Read more: Little Green Lane road closure petition accepted

The land at Killingdown Farm is not as well protected as other areas in Three Rivers from development.

This is because the land was taken out of the green belt in 2014 and allocated as a potential new housing site.

The site has also been included in the council's list of sites for its upcoming local plan, which will set out where houses are likely to be built in Three Rivers over the next 15 years or so.