The Development Control Committee of Hertfordshire Council was scheduled to consider a significant planning application for a new satellite facility for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) in Buntingford. The meeting's agenda also included the confirmation of previous minutes and the opportunity for public petitions and motions.

Application for a Satellite Facility for Pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) at Amwell View School

The primary item scheduled for discussion was a planning application for the construction of a satellite facility for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) at land west of Bishop Way and east of the A10, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9SL. This facility is intended to operate as an extension of Amwell View School, which is based in Stanstead Abbots.

The proposed development includes:

• A new building of 3,263m² (GIA) to provide educational floorspace, accommodating classrooms, sensory rooms, a main hall, and a drama studio.
• Soft and hard landscaping, car and minibus parking, and a new access road from Norris Way, which would involve the diversion of an existing public footpath.
• The new school is planned to offer 100 places for pupils aged 11 to 19 years with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD).
• The building is designed with a fabric first approach, aiming for carbon net-zero operation through the use of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and photovoltaic panels.
• The site access arrangements require the permanent diversion of public footpath (Buntingford 35).
• The car park is planned to provide 63 bays, including accessible and electric vehicle charging spaces, alongside 14 spaces for minibuses and taxis.
• The landscaping scheme aims to retain existing trees and shrubs, with new native tree and shrub planting proposed throughout the site and along boundaries.
• Biodiversity enhancement measures are included, with the intention of delivering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) through on-site improvements and off-site creation at Westmill Farm.
• The drainage strategy involves underground water storage tanks with restricted outfall rates to the adjoining watercourse.

The report indicated that the Executive Director of Growth & Environment recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to twenty-eight conditions. These conditions cover various aspects including time limits for commencement, approved plans, materials of construction, protection of landscaping, detailed landscaping schemes, vehicular access, rights of way diversion, parking management, travel plans, construction management, electric vehicle charging points, flood risk assessment, sustainable drainage, archaeological investigation, biodiversity gain, and ecological enhancement.

The report detailed extensive consultations with various bodies, including East Herts Council, the Highway Authority, the Lead Local Flood Authority, Sport England, Affinity Water, Thames Water, the Senior Historic Environment Advisor, and Hertfordshire Ecology. It also summarised third-party representations, which included comments on the adoption of Norris Way, objections regarding infrastructure capacity, traffic congestion, and speeding, and support for the much-needed school facility.

Key planning considerations highlighted in the report included the principle of development, the urgent need for SEND places in Hertfordshire, sustainable transport, design, energy use, landscape impact, noise, air quality, impact on playing fields, community use, drainage, archaeology, and biodiversity. The report noted that while the development would result in the loss of a designated area of open space, the wider public benefits of providing the required SLD school places were considered to outweigh the limited harms.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to confirm the Part I minutes of the Development Control Committee meeting held on 24 October 2025.

Public Petitions and Motions

The agenda also provided for the opportunity for members of the public to present petitions relating to matters within the committee's remit, provided prior notification had been given. Additionally, any motions submitted in writing by the deadline were to be considered. At the time of agenda dispatch, no petitions or motions had been submitted.