The field that thought it was green is now grey

Plans for a row of homes in a village have been approved after it was suggested the land is actually 'grey belt'.

An empty field in Bedmond Road, to the north of the main part of Bedmond, was the subject of a planning application for four homes added to Three Rivers District Council's planning portal in April.

It was approved in a decision notice published yesterday (July 14), doubling the number of homes that can be built there from two after a smaller scheme was granted permission in principle in 2023.

A previous bid to build four homes at the same site had to be withdrawn after feedback given on the grounds that the site represented green belt land, despite the applicant claiming it should still be allowed as infill. However, the new plan argued that the land is actually grey belt under new national planning guidance issued last year - largely because it is within an existing settlement rather than an expansion of the edges.

Two four-bedroom homes and two three-bedroom homes can be built, with 10 parking spaces and improvements to the access.

Permission stipulates that the project must begin within the next three years.