The Hill Group has been given planning permission to build 160 new sustainable homes in Croxley Green, near Rickmansworth
The development will comprise a wide range of homes from apartments to five-bedroom detached houses that will blend in with the local architecture. It will also feature green open spaces, a play area and footpaths.
Sustainable drainage solutions include swales and ecological enhancements, the planting of over 170 trees, new hedgerows, bat and bird boxes and other measures to support local wildlife, representing a biodiversity net gain of 10%.
Work on the 7.5-hectare site on Little Green Lane, adjacent to Killingdown Farm, is anticipated to begin in July 2022.
‘Acute shortage of homes’
Andy Hill, group chief executive of Hill, commented: “We are delighted to have been granted consent to develop 160 high-quality new homes in Croxley Green, helping to address the acute shortage of homes in the area.
“We are committed to building an outstanding community of well-designed, energy-efficient new homes, incorporating sustainable technology such as air-source heat pumps, which help to reduce carbon emissions significantly.
“Our plans also include biodiversity enhancements such as extensive new planting and habitat creation, resulting in a 10% gain in biodiversity across the development.”
In its report to uphold the appeal, government planning inspector Matthew Nunn stated: “In terms of public benefits, the scheme would secure a premium modern housing development for which there is a clear need, in a sustainable location.
“The proposal would provide much needed private and affordable housing for local people. A total of 160 dwellings are proposed, of which 72 would be affordable.
“Such provision would be a very weighty benefit for the area where increasing the supply of market and affordable homes is an urgent and pressing issue.”
