Below this point is information regarding the old development plans and Draft Local Plan first published in 2018 This is for information only
16th November 2021
On 16th November 2021 ALFA committee members Helen Stammers and Jeannie Hinds attended an on-line briefing session organised by Hertsmere Borough Council Planning Department regarding the Draft Local Plan.
Various representatives of local campaign groups were invited to attend. From the Planning Department, the attendees included Ross Whear (Head of Planning), Mark Silverman, Rachel Marber, Oliver Galliford (who gave the presentation), Gail Anderson and Cath Shepherd. Cllr Harvey Cohen (portfolio holder for planning) also attended.
In reply to specific questions ALFA put to the planners, they gave assurances that should Schopwick Surgery be given planning permission to relocate to site BE1, the rest of the land would remain in the Green Belt. Also, that site BE1 is not in the Draft Local Plan for any housing development.
September 2021
Hertsmere Borough Council published their draft Local Plan on 6th September 2021. The good news is there is currently no housing development planned for site BE1 (Allum Lane fields). Click here to read the press release.
Our members received a newsletter on 10th September 2021 regarding this announcement.
A full HBC Council meeting took place on 30th September 2021 where they agreed for the draft plan to go out for Regulation 18 Engagement (the plan will not be formally adopted until next year). Regulation 18 allows for a 6-week Engagement period where organisations and members of the public can submit any representation they wish to make on the plan.
We will closely monitor any planning applications made by Schopwick surgery on site BE1 to ensure it is kept to acceptable parameters, has minimum impact to the surroundings, with adequate boundaries and distinction from the rest of the green belt fields. Click here for further details of the Schopwick relocation plans.
August 2021 We are please to see that the horses have returned to the Allum Lane fields.
June 15th 2021 Beautiful views over fields on site BE1 off Allum Lane. A Doctors Surgery, Care Home and 250 houses would destroy this green belt land forever, and the footpaths through open fields enjoyed by local people.
June 11th 2021 An article in the Barnet Times, written by Nathan Louis, reported on the use of site HEL341 for an extension of the Allum Lane cemetery as capacity will be reached in 2023.
He stated, "The land in question is green belt and has been put forward in the local plan as a site for 69 homes and a cemetery. However, the council says housing on this site is "not acceptable" under current policies - but development of a cemetery would be, although it would still require planning permission."
June 11th 2021 Haven Health responded on behalf of Schopwick staff to ALFA's Freedom of Information request. They refused the information giving legal reasons why they were not required to disclose the information at this time.
May 2021 ALFA have written to HVCCG asking for details of the ten sites considered for the relocation of Schopwick Surgery under the Freedom of Information Act. The responsibility was passed to the Doctors at Schopwick Surgery before the deadline of 1st June 2021.
April 18th 2021 Last Day to respond to the Schopwick Surgery Survey If you are a Schopwick Surgery patient please complete the survey stating you DO NOT AGREE with the site of the proposed relocation as it is on GREEN BELT LAND.
April 2021 We need your help! ALFA have worked hard but gone as far as they can to protect the green belt fields off Allum Lane. Just as the developers buy in specialists to work on their behalf, ALFA feel the time has come for them to do the same. Please click here Thank you for supporting the protection of our green spaces. They have never been so threatened.
Update 14/04/2021 Thank you to everyone who has donated to fund the Research Report. We are almost there so if you haven't donated and would like to PLEASE DONATE NOW so we can request the report as soon as possible. ALFA is working to protect Green Belt land off Allum Lane, Elstree that is currently under serious threat of development. If you want to protect this local open land and its wildlife from being lost forever, avoid further road congestion, air pollution, risk of flooding, joining of settlements and more pressure on our infrastructure - join us. Working together has proved effective but we have a lot further to go and need to continue the pressure! To read about the latest developments go to Latest News
April 16th 2021 Newsletter to ALFA Members
April 18th 2021 Last Day to respond to the Schopwick Surgery Survey. If you are a Schopwick Surgery patient please complete the survey stating you DO NOT AGREE with the site of the proposed relocation as it is on GREEN BELT LAND.
April 2021 Update: 14/04/2021 Thank you to everyone who has donated to fund the Research Report. We are almost there so if you haven't donated and would like to PLEASE DONATE NOW so we can request the report as soon as possible. Click here to donate
We need your help! ALFA have worked hard but gone as far as they can to protect the green belt fields off Allum Lane. Just as the developers buy in specialists to work on their behalf, ALFA feel the time has come for them to do the same. Please click here Thank you for supporting the protection of our green spaces. They have never been so threatened.
ALFA Newsletter / Request for Help 7th April 2021: Latest ALFA Newsletter sent to members. If you would like to receive this and future emails please join ALFA - free of charge.
ALFA Newsletter 14th March 2021: Latest ALFA Newsletter sent to members. If you would like to receive this and future emails please join ALFA - free of charge.
Schopwick Surgery Re-location : Patients Survey March 2021: A new survey has been sent to all patients of Schopwick Surgery. Deadline for responses is 18th April 2021. We request you respond and state your objections to a re-location site on:
BE1 - a site linked with a potential Care Home and Housing Development
Green belt land - removing it forever, destroying the habitats of local flora and fauna
Across public footpaths
Out of Elstree village
On Allum Lane which is already heavily congested
On Allum Lane which suffers flooding
Plus all the other reasons you may have for not agreeing to the re-location on this site rather than a brownfield site in Elstree village.
We are also concerned this development is not being considered in conjunction with plans for other surgery and healthcare facilities in the Borehamwood area, which may provide duplicate facilities and reduce the patient load on Schopwick.
Woodcock Hill Village Green March 2021: WHVG need to raise £60,000 in funds for legal advice and representation. See attached flyer for more information. Please note if you already have the flyer the sort code is incorrect - it should read 20-74-09
ALFA Walk and Wildlife March 2021: With the weather improving ALFA members are enjoying the ALFA walk. Wildlife is regularly spotted in the fields off Allum Lane including deer, red kite and heron. Please send ALFA your photos and sightings on [email protected].
16 Allum Lane : Planning Application Submitted 29th January 2021 : A planning application has been made: Application Number: 20l2149lFUL Location of Works: 16 Allum Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire, Description: Demolition of existing house and erection of an apartment building forming 14 dwellings (c3) with ancillary landscaping, parking, bike and bin storage
lf you want to make any comments about this application, please send them by 11th February 2021. You can do this online via the HBC website. Click on the Comments tab, then choose Make a Comment.
Please also send a copy of your comments to Elstree Town Council, Fairway Hall, Brook Close, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 5BT (email: [email protected])
Action by ALFA: ALFA will not be commenting on this development as it is not part of the Allum Lane Fields, but ask members who are opposed to comment as individuals.
Schopwick Surgery Relocation : Teams meeting 26th January 2021: Schopwick Teams meeting with HVCCG and PPG members. Reported that 'Patient Survey had been analysed and most patients were in favour of the move' and 'good patient engagement had been sought and achieved.' At a meeting with planners, HBC have indicated there is a need to prove that there are very special circumstances for building in the green belt.
Action by ALFA: ALFA have written to the CCG to put forward their views of the Patient Survey, which they don't believe was fit for purpose, and patient engagement as they do not correspond with the views discussed at the meeting.
ALFA have written again requesting answers to unanswered questions from the Zoom meeting on 17th December 2020, as we have received no response to our correspondence.
Schopwick Surgery Relocation - Zoom Meeting 17th December 2020: The Zoom meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday 17th December 2020 at 7pm-8pm. All patients will have received a text message. To join the Zoom meeting you must respond to the text. On receipt of the email you can ask a question. A question has been asked on behalf of ALFA and we will be attending the meeting. We encourage you to join and ask a question - making clear your opposition to the relocation to the suggested site BE1 or any other green belt site in the vicinity.
Unfortunately, although the meeting was well attended we were extremely disappointed with the way it was managed. It was designed as a sales pitch so that no-one could ask any difficult questions. The Zoom meeting angered many local residents, who were very disappointed not to have been able to ask questions verbally at the end of the presentation. We typed in our questions on the chat platform, but they were not answered. We felt the whole thing was presented as a 'fait accompli' and not a proper consultation.
ALFA also feel that no proper consultation has been done and the questionnaire that was produced to back up the business plan was biased, unprofessional and not fit for purpose.
ALFA know that local people, their members, rely on the green belt for their mental health and wellbeing, something a doctor’s surgery and the local NHS should be working to promote not destroy. Obviously, everyone locally would like the surgery to have better facilities, but not at the cost of the green belt, and not to be rushed through in isolation to the Local Plan. See information on the Mind website.
Action by ALFA: ALFA have written to PPG asking questions unanswered at the Zoom meeting.
Plans for 14 flats at 16 Allum Lane 16th December 2020: Plans have been prepared for 14 flats to be built on the site of the current house and garden. A virtual public consultation is being held online on 16th December 2020 at 5pm to 7pm. You need an appointment, which will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Please email [email protected]. Click here for the consultation leaflet.
This development is excessive for the size of the plot and will cause even more traffic, demand on infrastructure, pollution and loss of green space on a road that is already heavily congested next to 'The Spinney', home to much local wildlife.
Planning permission had previously been given in for two 6-bedroom houses on this site. A decision was made by the owners / developers to apply in July 2020 for 31 apartments. This was considered too high density, so drawings were amended to 28 apartments. This was amended further to 14 apartments, which is the number being applied for.
Apartment details: Luxury 2/3-bedroom apartment block over 3 floors Selling for £700k-£800k, targeted at people looking to downsize in older age. 31 car parking spaces including visitor and delivery spaces.
Action by ALFA: A Zoom meeting was attended on 16th December 2020 by a representative of ALFA.
Schopwick Surgery Relocation - reminder to patients 29th November 2020: - Please respond to the survey by 30th November 2020 - see Newsletter. - Schopwick Surgery have cancelled their Zoom meeting planned for 7pm 30th November 2020.
ALFA Newsletter 22nd November 2020: Latest ALFA Newsletter sent to members. If you would like to receive this and future emails please join ALFA - free of charge.
Schopwick Surgery Proposed Relocation 21st November 2020: ALFA e-mailed a letter of complaint to Dr Vyas (Schopwick Surgery), Cllrs Bright and Cohen (Elstree Hertsmere Borough Councillors) and Cllr Turner (Elstree Town Councillor). Click here to read the letter. Click here for response from Cllr Cohen (dated 21/11/20)
Action by ALFA: ALFA e-mailed Rt.Hon Mr Dowden MP (MP for Hertsmere) and Cllr Clapper (Elstree Hertfordshire County Councillor). Click here to read letter.
Schopwick Surgery Proposed Relocation Friday 20th November : Schopwick Surgery patients were informed of the proposed relocation of the Elstree surgery to site BE1. Click here for the Patient Liaison Booklet.
Action by ALFA: ALFA will be contacting Councillors and Planners following a meeting on 21st November 2020 and will inform ALFA members of action and progress.
Enjoying the ALFA walk July 2020 Lots of us have enjoyed the ALFA walk, past the busy recycling centre, with beautiful views across the fields, through the woods, spotting the wildlife and admiring the wild flowers. Below are some photos taken on the walk. Please send us yours if you have photos you would like to share. If you haven't tried the walk yet - see details below.
Petition for re-opening of Allum Lane Recycling Centre May 2020 We are concerned about the continued closure of the Recycling Centre on Allum Lane. ALFA have contacted our MP and local Councillors regarding this matter. There is a Change.org petition asking for the site to be reopened as soon as possible and for the opening hours to remain. We encourage you to sign the petition if you haven't already: www.change.org Once you have signed, please share this campaign with local friends and neighbours.
UPDATE: Allum Lane Recycling Centre was reopened and has as busy as ever. Click here for details and opening times.
ALFA Walk - enjoy our Green Belt and see what we could lose! May 2020 We have a walk for you to enjoy that takes you along well used local footpaths, past the cemetery and our war memorial, through shortcuts in Elstree village, into the woods and finishes with a walk over fields that rise above the surrounding land providing views across our Green Belt.
This walk passes by and through the fields put forward for potential development.
Call for Nature to be at the Heart of Economic Recovery Herts Wildlife Trust explain why the government should focus more on the issue of nature loss and climate change. Any use of green belt land turns green spaces that are home to wildlife and improve air quality into concrete and tarmac covered land with more cars and pollution. Click here for article