Village for elderly plans submitted (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Bricket Wood plans backed by residents, say developers

4:20pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in News By Zoe Forsey

A planning application for a care village for the elderly was submitted today following positive feedback from residents at public consultation events.

Developers Greenwood Bell are hoping to turn a dilapidated Green Belt site in Lye Lane, Bricket Wood, into an extra care village providing affordable housing for the elderly and disabled, where residents can pick and choose the service they require assistance with.

The independent building consultancy held two public consultation events in November, which were attended by more than 120 people.

The site, which sits next to the M25, is polluted with imported waste such as metal, plastic and timber after previous plans to build a golf course were never completed.

Residents were given the opportunity to look through detailed plans of the proposals, to raise their concerns with developers and to fill in feedback forms.

Of the 29 forms that were collected during the event, the developers have reported only three opposed.

Thirteen residents stated they supported the plans, and a further seven said they were supportive although they had a few concerns.

Paul Brettell, principal officer, was pleased with the positive feedback he received from residents.

He said: "I have been pleasantly surprised by positive support from the local community.

"In my experience most developments attract a large amount of objections apart from this one."