The Hertsmere Borough Council Planning Committee was scheduled to convene on 18 September 2025 to discuss several planning applications, including a major housing development, a film and television complex, and an advertisement consent application. The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the current position of planning appeals. Councillor Helen Green was scheduled to chair the meeting.

Land South of Shenley Hill, Radlett

The committee was scheduled to revisit an outline planning application for land south of Shenley Hill, Radlett, following a legal challenge to a prior refusal. The proposal, application number 24/1211/OUT, involves the:

'Erection of up to 195 new homes (50% affordable), safeguarded land for the expansion of Newberries Primary School and a new medical centre, along with associated access. Outline application to include the matter of ACCESS (with the following matters reserved: APPEARANCE, LANDSCAPING, LAYOUT and SCALE).'

The application had previously been refused, but the applicant's solicitor argued that the committee did not allow officers to fully explain the implications of refusing the application, contrary to the council's constitution. Counsel agreed with the solicitor's assessment, and advised that the application be brought back to the committee for reconsideration.

The report pack noted that the council currently lacks a five-year housing land supply, and that the officer opinion remained that the proposed development is on 'grey belt' land and meets the requirements of paragraph 155 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and so should not be considered inappropriate development. The report pack also noted that if the committee were to disagree with the officer's assessment, then the officer opinion was that the benefits of the scheme would outweigh the harm.

The report pack included a summary of the consultation responses, noting that 2,451 objections had been received, as well as two letters of support. The objections included:

• The proposals would be contrary to Green Belt legislation.
• No Very Special Circumstances exist or have been shown to justify release from the Metropolitan Green Belt.
• The site is not an infill, but an outward extension to the urban area of Radlett.
• There would be no direct integration of the site into Radlett.
• Further pressures on local infrastructure.

BBC Elstree Centre, Borehamwood

The committee was scheduled to consider application 25/0642/FUL for the BBC Elstree Centre, Clarendon Road, Borehamwood. The proposal involves:

'Demolition of the existing buildings and provision of a film and television complex with ancillary floorspace, backlot, multi storey car park, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works.'

The report pack noted that the application site is located near Borehamwood town centre, and that the existing EastEnders set would be retained on site. The proposal includes five new sound stages, three workshop spaces, a feature office building, a multi-storey car park, and a gatehouse.

The report pack noted that the Council's Principal Urban Design Officer had requested amendments to the appearance of the office building, and that the officer view was that there would be an inherent degree of visual harm arising from the proposed development due to the minimum dimensions required by operations.

The report pack also noted that Hertfordshire County Council Highways Authority had initially objected to the proposal due to the proposed level of car parking, but that following amendments to reduce the overall numbers, the Highways Authority did not wish to raise an objection, subject to conditions, informatives, obligations and agreements.

Land Adjacent to Lismirrane Industrial Park, Elstree

The committee was scheduled to consider application 23/0439/FUL for land adjacent to Lismirrane Industrial Park, Elstree Road, Elstree. The proposal involves:

'Demolition and redevelopment comprising of E(g)(iii) (Industrial Processes), B2 (General Industry) and B8 (Storage and Distribution) uses with ancillary offices and associated access, car parking, servicing areas and landscaping. (Original Description)'

The report pack noted that the application site comprises a 5.4ha area of land made up of part-vacant open field land and part-developed land. The site is located within the Metropolitan Green Belt.

The report pack also noted that the Council's Economic Study references the consideration of housing need and how this can influence employment demand. The methodology for calculating housing need was changed in December 2024, resulting in the requirement for a greater number of homes to be provided in Hertsmere.

The report pack included a summary of the consultation responses, noting that two objections had been received. The objections included:

• The proposals would be contrary to Green Belt legislation.
• No Very Special Circumstances exist or have been shown to justify release from the Metropolitan Green Belt.
• The site is not an infill, but an outward extension to the urban area of Radlett.

Advertisement Board, Borehamwood

The committee was scheduled to consider application 25/1053/ADV for an advertisement board at the junction of Centenary Place and Shenley Road, Borehamwood. The proposal involves:

'Installation of double sided LED screen on a 2.3m pole for the purposes of displaying council information and promotional content, to replace existing totem sign. (Application for Advertisment Consent.)'

The report pack noted that the application site is the pedestrian area at the junction of Shenley Road and Centenary Place, and that the applicant is Hertsmere Borough Council.

The report pack also noted that Place Services, Essex County Council, had commented that the proposed sign would be nearly 2m higher than previously proposed, and that this would result in some harm to the locally listed All Saints Church, but at the lowest end of the scale.

Planning Appeals

The committee was scheduled to receive the attached lists for information on the current position of planning appeals and planning appeal decisions.