Oaklands plan called in

3:20pm Tuesday 2nd September 2008

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A £100 million redevelopment on the Oaklands College site in Smallford has been called in by the Secretary of State.

The development which includes a 31,930 square metre new college building and 62 flats and houses in Hatfield Road was recommended for approval by St Albans District council back in June.

A second application to build 38 affordable homes on the former Oaklands College site in Highfield Lane, Tyttenhanger, has also been called in.

Both sites are in the Green Belt where residential development is not normally permitted.

Principal of Oaklands College Mark Dawe said: “We are obviously frustrated at this decision as it will cause further delay in the development process.”

“I am not concerned with the case we presented as we spent three years compiling it with the council so we have a robust argument.”

Mr Dawe believes the development will still be on target to open in 2011.

Applications which depart from national or local policies are required to be referred to the Secretary of State for communities and local government who may or may not decide to call it in for consideration.

If an application is called in, which is the case with Oaklands, it is not an indication of whether the Secretary of State agrees with the council’s recommendation, merely that she wishes to consider it herself.

Councillor Chris Brazier, who chaired the district council planning meeting, said: “I believe the decision by the planning committee to grant permission was the right one as the young and adult population will benefit from first class educational facilities.”

“But on balance I can see why the decision has been called in as building housing on the green belt departs from the local development framework.”

Oaklands College will present their case and the district council will give evidence to support their recommendation to approve the applications.

Mr Dawe hopes to receive a decision within six to eight months.