25/1713/OUT Land north of Stapleton Road
ACT NOW - deadline 30th December 2025
The developer Fairfax has submitted its planning application 25/1713/OUT to build 292 new homes on the Green Belt land north of Stapleton Road.
Click here for more details
We must ACT NOW to ensure our voices are heard. DEADLINE is 30th December 2025. However, objections can be sent in up to the date of the planning meeting at which this application is heard, but this gives less time for planners to review and consider the objection points.
Why this matters:
Fairfax is trying to convince the Council that this open agricultural field is "grey belt"—meaning it’s of low value and should be built on. We know the truth. This land is a vital part of our town’s identity, a home to rare wildlife, and the final barrier stopping Borehamwood from sprawling endlessly into the countryside.
Key points for your objection:
ACTION REQUIRED:
Please send your objection to the Hertsmere Planning Department to reach them by Tuesday, December 30th, 2025.
Click here for more details
We must ACT NOW to ensure our voices are heard. DEADLINE is 30th December 2025. However, objections can be sent in up to the date of the planning meeting at which this application is heard, but this gives less time for planners to review and consider the objection points.
Why this matters:
Fairfax is trying to convince the Council that this open agricultural field is "grey belt"—meaning it’s of low value and should be built on. We know the truth. This land is a vital part of our town’s identity, a home to rare wildlife, and the final barrier stopping Borehamwood from sprawling endlessly into the countryside.
Key points for your objection:
- Green Belt Destruction: This development would permanently destroy 14.69 hectares of protected land.
- Infrastructure at Breaking Point: Our local services, especially GP surgeries are already full. Adding hundreds of new residents will make it impossible for locals to get the services they need.
- Flood Risk: The plans involve discharging water into the Tykes Water system, which already floods nearby areas.
- Wildlife Loss: 2025 surveys found rare bats and birds on this site. This is a Local Wildlife Site, not "waste ground".
ACTION REQUIRED:
Please send your objection to the Hertsmere Planning Department to reach them by Tuesday, December 30th, 2025.
- Online: Visit https://www.hertsmere.gov.uk/planning-building-control/planning-applications/search-and-comment-on-planning-applications and search for 25/1713/OUT.
- Email: Send your comments to [email protected]. Please quote the application reference 25/1713/OUT as well as your name and address.
- Post: Send your comments to Hertsmere Borough Council, Civic Offices, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1WA. Please quote the application reference 25/1713/OUT as well as your name and address.
Pre-application for Land North of Stapleton Road
ACT NOW - deadline 9th November 2025
The developer Fairfax has launched a pre-application consultation for a major housing scheme on the Green Belt at Land North of Stapleton Road, Borehamwood.
They plan to build 292 new homes on a 14.69-hectare site that is currently protected Green Belt land. We must flood their consultation with individual objections to show the strength of local feeling before they submit their formal application. This is because they could otherwise use the lack of objections as an argument if they submit a formal planning application to the council.
ACTION: Write Your Own Personal Objection NOW
It is vital that you write an objection in your own words and submit it directly to the developer.
How to submit your objection:
Key Points to Include in Your Message (Please use your own phrasing):
When writing your objection, focus on how this development conflicts with Green Belt policy and affects you and the local area.
1. Green Belt Policy - The Core Objection (NPPF):
They plan to build 292 new homes on a 14.69-hectare site that is currently protected Green Belt land. We must flood their consultation with individual objections to show the strength of local feeling before they submit their formal application. This is because they could otherwise use the lack of objections as an argument if they submit a formal planning application to the council.
ACTION: Write Your Own Personal Objection NOW
It is vital that you write an objection in your own words and submit it directly to the developer.
How to submit your objection:
- Email: [email protected]
- Online Feedback Form: borehamwood.your-feedback.co.uk
Key Points to Include in Your Message (Please use your own phrasing):
When writing your objection, focus on how this development conflicts with Green Belt policy and affects you and the local area.
1. Green Belt Policy - The Core Objection (NPPF):
- Harmful by Definition: The proposal is "inappropriate development" in the Green Belt, which is automatically considered harmful under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
- "Very Special Circumstances": Developers must prove "Very Special Circumstances" (VSC) to outweigh the harm, but building houses or providing affordable housing is not usually enough on its own to meet this very high bar.
- Loss of Openness: The development will destroy the Green Belt's essential openness and permanently change the character of the countryside.
- Urban Sprawl and Encroachment: This development represents an unjustified encroachment into protected land and fails to check the sprawl of Borehamwood into the countryside.
- Adding to Pressure: Local services —including schools and GP surgeries— will be placed under greater strain.
- Biodiversity Loss: Object to the destruction of existing field and habitat, regardless of the promise of "biodiversity net gain." The loss of the current landscape and mature boundaries is irreversible.
- Flood Risk: Request more detailed information on the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Question if the SuDS are truly sufficient given the increase in hard surfaces, the potential for maintenance failure, and the need to cope with future extreme rainfall (climate change). The risk of surface water flooding to existing nearby properties must be fully addressed.