Planning committees across Hertfordshire are busy as ever, with plenty of applications and appeals coming through.
We've compiled a list of just some of the applications that are currently pending or have been approved in our areas.
Here are some that might have gone under the radar.
1. Homes next to historic Welwyn Garden City pub
An application to build five new homes on land next to an historic former pub in Welwyn Garden City has cause quite the stir.
The application, submitted by John Stylianou of Style Building Services, proposes the building of five new homes off Beehive Lane, with associated access, car parking and amenity space.
A small building on the land would be demolished as part of the plans, with the development sitting next to the former Beehive pub.
The building that used to house The Beehive is Grade II-listed and dates back to the early 17th century.
Today, the building stands vacant and is not part of the application submitted.
Nearby residents have raised concerns, as have campaign group Together for WGC, with spokeswoman Debbie Lane-Stott saying: "The site is within the Beehive Conservation Area, and opposite some well-spaced houses from the 1950s that are the archetype for much Garden City design.
"However the planned new homes are of a completely different design. They would be fine for somewhere else, but not here.
"They are crammed together, which is totally different from the homes on the other side of the road. Furthermore, the so-called front gardens are just two parking spaces each, lacking greenery, and lacking a front hedge.
"We very much hope these plans are rejected and a much more sympathetic scheme is brought forward that would complement the homes opposite. The site is acceptable but the design is not."
2. £900m Life Science campus in Stevenage set to be on of Europe's largest
UBS Asset Management and the Reef Group's plans for the 15-building Elevate Quarter were pushed through by Stevenage Borough Council’s planning committee, with construction beginning in 2023.
The campus will provide 1.6 million sq ft of lab and office space, as well as creating 5,000 new jobs.
It will sit alongside GSK’s existing Global R&D facility and Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, and incorporate the UK’s Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult.
Following the approval, council leader Richard Henry said: “We welcome this new development for the town, which has secured a resolution to grant consent.
"This will expand and build upon the existing campus, with cutting edge science opening up jobs and delivering economic benefits to the town."
3. Major housing and school development in Hatfield called in
Plans for a major development of 120 homes and a primary in Hatfield have been called in.
Ptarmigan Hatfield Ltd has submitted a proposal for 120 homes and a two-form entry primary school with associated access, open space, landscaping and other infrastructure, off South Way.
The application has been called in after a major objection, with residents also raising serious concerns about the plans.
"The amount of flats and multi-storey carparks in Hatfield is an absolute disgrace. Leave our green areas alone," said a resident who lives in nearby Robins Way.
"The local community are absolutely fed up with not being listened to. Create places of leisure instead.
"The local authorities are being far too greedy and giving nothing back, listen to us for a change, instead of having non-ending money making ideas."
4. 120 new homes in Letchworth
Plans for up to 120 new homes in Letchworth Garden City have been approved.
North Herts Council's Planning Control Committee has granted planning permission for Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation to build up to 120 homes east of Kristiansand Way and Talbot Way.
The development, known as LG3, will include 40 per cent affordable housing and new open space.
David Ames, executive director for development at the Heritage Foundation, said: "We’re pleased to be moving this project along to provide much-needed housing, including local affordable provision."
5. Appeal over 151 homes on B&Q site
The proposal submitted by Thrive Homes was refused by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council back in 2021, after residents objected to the plans and even launched a petition that received almost 1,000 signatures.
The plans would see the current building in Swallowfields turned into three tower blocks, each up to five storeys tall and containing 151 dwellings.
One block would have 29 one-bed flats, 28 two-bed flats and two three-bed flats, while the other two blocks would comprise of 20 one-bed flats, 18 two-bed flats and eight three-bed flats.
The current building would be demolished and the large Tarmac car park would be removed, but the planning application still would still have 151 unallocated car parking spaces and 16 additional spaces provided for visitors.
"We are aware of the appeal against the planning application refusal for the Swallowfields site," said a spokesperson for the DIY retailer.
"B&Q remains committed to a store in the Welwyn Garden City area and intends to object to the planning application.
"The lease on the store runs until October 2024 and the store will remain open as usual until at least then.
"As soon as we have any further details our colleagues will be the first to know."
6. Rejected plans that would merge villages appealed
An appeal has been launched after an application for a development of 25 houses in Woolmer Green was rejected earlier this year.
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council turned down the proposal made by Wattsdown Development for build on land off London Road back in January.
The developer has now appealed the decision, with hopes it will be overturned.
Wattsdown Development's original application face plenty of objections from residents, with those who live on London raising concerns that the development would merge Woolmer Green and Knebworth into one village.
"This plan would stop Woolmer Green and Knebworth being independent villages. This gap is vital to protect the boundary of these villages," one wrote.
"I bought a house here to live in a village, and this would no longer be the case if this development goes ahead. We need more green spaces not more houses."
7. Plans approved for Green Belt development
Up to 40 new homes are set to be constructed on Green Belt land after an application was accepted by St Albans City & District Council's planning committee.
The development will include three self-build homes, along with car and cycle parking, landscaping and associated works for the remaining 38.
A minimum of 35 per cent of the development will also be "affordable homes".
A covering letter submitted with the application states: "The scheme will provide market and affordable dwellings which will assist St Albans District Council with the much needed delivery of affordable housing across the district."
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