Playing fields decision 'a victory for common sense'

3:25pm Friday 30th March 2007

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PROTESTERS rejoiced after plans to build a retirement community, gymnasium and swimming pool on the King Harry Lane playing fields were thrown out by St Albans district councillors.

Members of the council's plans central committee unanimously rejected the outline planning application on Monday night.

The vacant fields form part of an eight hectare site, which was used by St Albans School as a private sports ground until July 2002 when it moved its sporting activities to Woollam Playing fields, in Harpenden Road.

The joint application between Hallam Land Management (HLM) and Blanchworth Care Ltd proposed to build 65 houses for people over 55 years old. This would have included seven four-bedroom homes, 26 three-bedroomed houses and 32 two-bedroom units.

There were also plans to build 45 one and two-bedroomed extra care or assisted living flats and a two-storey 40-bedroom care home on the greenfield site. As well as 16 key worker one-bedroom flats, the site would also include a day centre, hairdressing and therapy rooms.

More than 280 residents objected to the council about the development, arguing that it would exacerbate the traffic problems, put a strain on local schools and hospitals,and affect the quality of life for existing residents.

St Stephen's parish councillor Michael Freeman said: "We appreciate the need for additional housing in St Albans, but we need more affordable housing and starter homes for the young people in this district.

"Improvements to the King Harry Lane junction would inevitably involve invading the conservation area."

Verulam ward councillor Clare Ellis added: "Everybody has been talking about the problems with traffic, housing and over development - but one thing we have not mentioned is the archaeological importance of the site."

In September 2005, more than 300 people signed a petition opposing HLM plans to "relocate" the Grade II listed King Harry pub and build a road connecting Watling Street and St Stephen's Hill at the back of St Stephen's Church.

The plans, which included building up to 250 homes, were rejected by the council in February last year.

Speaking after the meeting, chairman of Verulam Residents' Association Barrie Mort, who has campaigned against the development, said: "I think that it's a victory for common sense.

"This was really a means for the developers of getting a foot in the door on the site.

"More than half the site was to be given over to 65 houses and more than half of these had three or four bedrooms - hardly a retirement scenario.

"The developers accepted that the traffic problem must be solved.

"However, its plans to improve bus services were just a drop in the ocean."

HLM spokesman Ruth McKeown said that the developer had no further comments to make.