Delay to decision on Oxhey Hall Barns
2:10pm Wednesday 17th August 2011
- Comments(0)
THE latest plans to convert two agricultural barns on land owned by water company Veolia into homes were due to be discussed tomorrow – but they have been pulled from the agenda at the eleventh
hour.
Veolia has submitted plans to build two houses, with landscaping and alterations to the access on to Hampermill Lane, which were to be discussed at Three Rivers District Council’s planning committee. But now the matter has been deferred for further reports to be prepared.
Christine McNulty, who started a petition against the plans, said: “It think it’s the thin end of the wedge for development in Hampermill Lane.
“It’s a mistake to take away agricultural land permanently, and the barn is a beautiful grade two listed building.”
“We expect a good turn out as this little piece of English history is considered locally to be well worth fighting for.
“Veolia has a duty to preserve the listed barn, which it has ignored for many years. It wants to remove the barns permanently from their agricultural status through conversion to residential use.
The farmer who worked on the land, Roy Brazier, died in January this year, and Veolia has conducted a survey which suggests the land is no longer suitable for agricultural use.
The Hampermill Lane resident added: “This all started when the cryptosporidium outbreak of 1997 was blamed on the farmer’s cattle. It turned out to have been caused by a sewage leak up river.
“The farmer had to take his cattle off the fields and the water company immediately applied for conversion of the farm yard to residential use. Veolia has submitted four failed applications. This
is their latest attempt.”
In February 2007 a public inquiry was held into plans to convert the structures into two one-bedroom and two two-bedroom homes.
However, at the end of the two-day inquiry the planning inspector upheld Three Rivers District Council’s decision to refuse Veolia permission to build.
Becky Martin, from Veolia, said: “The application has been made for a number of reasons but it is mainly intended to preserve the barns and surrounding buildings.
“It is not viable to use the barns for agricultural, warehousing or light industrial use – a study taken over a six month period has concluded this.
“The conversion of the barns into two residential uses will enable the buildings to be brought and retained in a good state of repair and will safeguard the listed building for the future.
“We have employed architects who are very experienced in barn conversions and their innovative design, developed in association with the local conservation officer, ensures that the main listed
barn is retained as a single space with minimal changes to its external appearance or structure.”
Comment now! Register or sign in below.
Or