Issue - meetings
24/00326/FP Land On, Campfield Way, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire
Meeting: 16/04/2026 - Planning Control Committee (Item 159)
159 24/00326/FP LAND ON, CAMPFIELD WAY, LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY, HERTFORDSHIRE 
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REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION
MANAGER
Redevelopment of site comprising demolition of existing buildings
and provision of 157 dwellings; associated roads, landscaping, open
space, car and cycle parking provision, drainage and infrastructure
works and all associated ancillary works (as amended)
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED: That application 24/00326/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to:
(1) The completion of a satisfactory legal agreement and the applicant agreeing to extend the statutory period in order to complete the agreement if required.
(2) The delegation of powers to the Development and Conservation Manager to finalise a NHS contribution, and to update conditions and informatives with minor amendments as required.
(3) Conditions as set out in the report.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 6 minutes 01 seconds
The Senior Planning Officer advised that written updates on matters relating to application 24/00326/FP had been published as a supplementary document and highlighted that:
· The applicant had agreed to the pre-commencement conditions, therefore point C in the resolution was no longer required.
· There was an error at paragraph 4.8 of the report regarding the housing mix, which should be 45 1-bed flats, 43 2-bed flats and no 3-bed flats. The correct mix was outlined at 5.2.9 of the report.
The Senior Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 24/00326/FP accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Ian Mantle
· Councillor Louise Peace
· Councillor Ruth Brown
· Councillor Clare Billing
· Councillor Tom Tyson
In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised that:
· The area had been a later addition to the Conservation Area but was its own character area due to the unique social purpose and adherence to Garden City principles of the site.
· Whilst the site did provide heritage value, the units could not be retained as they were in poor condition, and individually they did not have value.
· The Applicant did explore retention, but no units were suitable.
· The Applicant could provide further information on whether museum storage for one of the units was considered.
· There was a bus service on Icknield Way.
· The Highways Authority offered advice on the number of parking spaces provided on site.
· The parking provision was lower than required standards on site, but as there were a significant number of 1-bed flats, the proportion of spaces provided could be lower.
· There was a provision of visitor parking spaces throughout the site.
· It was felt that overall the parking provision was suitable for a location within an urban area, and a good provision of cycle storage had been included to help balance the shortage of parking spaces.
· Around 50% of the bungalows were still occupied, but the Applicant could provide further details on this.
· The recommendation on sound proofing had been requested by Network Rail and had been agreed with the Applicant.
· There were no plans to install Solar PV, likely due to the Conservation Area character, but heat pumps were proposed which were efficient and would be suitable for the units on this site.
In response to questions, the Development and Conservation Manager advised that new government regulations had been announced on 24 March 2026, to come into force on 24 March 2027, requiring homes to be delivered with lower carbon solutions, including solar panel installation.
The Chair invited the Public Supporter, Richard Clayton, to speak in favour of the application. Mr Clayton thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· He represented the Hawksley Bungalow Steering Group and provided comments on behalf of residents Mr Steven Fish and Ms Julie Baldock.
· Mr Fish had been a lifelong resident on the site and had happy memories ... view the full minutes text for item 159