A further planning application that concerns us all ....

4/00890/13/FUL

INSTALLATION OF THREE 8FT X 20FT STEEL AGRICULTURAL STORAGE SHEDS AND ONE POLYTUNNEL

Some time ago the agricultural land alongside Upper Bourne End Lane was sold in small parcels.  It is currently an attractive open area of the Chiltern Hills with views across the valley and forming part of the vista from the other side of the valley around Potten End.  The potential for degradation of the visual environment is considerable.  This is made clear by the impact of the unlawful siting of the container and of the fence.  Both of these stand on the skyline when viewed from sites as far apart as Bourne End Lane, Sugar Lane, the A41 and Potten End.

We are not alone in our concerns.  In an attempt protect the area, Dacorum Borough Council has made the area subject to an Article 4 Direction, and the Chiltern Society joined in the objection to the proposed chicken sheds.

The most recent proposal, detailed on the Planning portal will be opposed by Bourne End Village Association, but your individual objections will add weight.

Please look carefully at the application on the Planning Portal and submit you comments, on-line, by e-mail or by writing.  Comments should be submitted by 6th June, this being described as the 'earliest decision date'.

http://212.44.10.240/planonline/AcolNetCGI.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=207819

Copied below is a letter recently sent to the chair of the Dacorum’s Development Control Committee expressing our more general concerns.  The application above is unlikely to be the last!

……………………………………………………………………

Ms. S. Mangan                                                            Cllr. Terry Douris
Chair Bourne End Village Association,                           Chair, Planning and Regeneration,
Bourne Haven,                                                             Dacorum Borough Council,
London Road,                                                              Civic Centre,
Hemel Hempstead,                                                      Marlowes,
Herts.                                                                          Hemel Hempstead
Herts

                                                                                   25th April 2013

Dear Cllr Douris

Re: Land west of Upper Bourne End Lane (bounded by Upper Bourne End Lane, Bovingdon Airfield, Stoney Lane and western field boundary)

The above land forms a significant tract of open countryside within Dacorum Borough Council. Having been sold as small parcels of land to a number of individuals, it has recently been the subject of a number of planning applications and small scale developments with or without planning consent. We are concerned that as a result, the character of the area is being changed to the detriment of both this specific site and the surrounding area. We wish to express our concern regarding this and seek to ensure that all agencies act in a robust manner, through planning control and enforcement, to safeguard this important environment for the enjoyment of residents of Dacorum. 

The desirability for maintaining it as open countryside. This is evidenced both by its location within the Green Belt, and the decision of Dacorum Borough Council to make it the subject of an ‘Article 4 Direction’ that withdraws permitted development rights for the erection of fences and other means of enclosure Whilst it does not fall within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is nevertheless typical Chilterns countryside. The site is part of the Bourne Gutter and Hockeridge Bottom landscape character area.

It is in an important strategic position located between Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted. Both these towns are the subject of housing developments, current or planned, and these will reduce the undeveloped areas between the two. The site is therefore an important element of this ‘buffer zone’.

The site consists of a headland projecting into the valley, and as such is visible from a considerable area around. This is evidenced by the recent arrival of a large blue container which is on the skyline for much of the walk along Sugar Lane, and visible throughout almost the entire journey.

The area is accessed from Upper Bourne End Lane. This is an attractive country lane. In the past, considerable damage has resulted from use by stallholders at Bovingdon Market and contractors working for Hertfordshire Highways.


Developments so far approved
A store constructed on plot Lot B1 intrudes on what was a completely undeveloped valley accessed by a public footpath leading from Upper Bourne End Lane towards Lower Farm. On the same site, conifers have been planted; completely inappropriate to chalk downland. Perimeter fencing at Lot B8B stands on the skyline when viewed from Sugar Lane. While these on their own may not constitute a major disruption of the environment, similar approval on other sites will have a considerable impact.


Other activities
Recently, the area has seen the arrival of a large blue container, as referred to above, a caravan, several hundred tyres, and use of one of the plots for grass track racing. These have been reported to the enforcement team.


We make no apology for the minutiae included here. We hope they serve to forewarn of the potential of the cumulative effect of many small developments to alter irretrievably what has been a pleasant area of Dacorum enjoyed by local residents.


Yours sincerely,



Sarah Mangan
Chair Bourne End Village Association

Copies to

Cllr Gbola Adeleke,
Dacorum Borough Council,
Civic Centre,
Marlowes,
Hemel Hempstead
Herts

Mr. James Doe
Chief Planning Officer
Dacorum Borough Council,
Civic Centre,
Marlowes,
Hemel Hempstead
Herts

Cllr Richard Roberts
Little Callipers, Bucks Hill,
Kings Langley,
Herts
WD4 9BW

Mark Staincliffe
Business Team Leader,Enforcement
Dacorum Borough Council,
Civic Centre,
Marlowes,
Hemel Hempstead
Herts


Mr Mike Kember
Parish Clerk Bovingdon Parish Council
Memorial Hall
High Street
Bovingdon
HP3 0HJ


Jenny Habib
The Chiltern Society
White Hill Centre,
White Hill,
Chesham,Bucks,
HP5 1A