Highover Farm, Hitchin

Background

A multi-faceted project (instructed at various points by three different clients), which included the promotion of a Green Belt site through the Local Plan process.
Supported by an outline planning application and accompanying Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for 700 dwellings, a 2 form-entry primary school, neighbourhood centre, open space, associated drainage and highway infrastructure; ongoing support and submission of reserved matters, design code and discharge of conditions applications.

What we did

Sarah, in her role as Planning Partner and EIA lead at Rapleys LLP, and latterly as a consultant to Rapleys LLP, managed a team of technical consultants over the course of 15 years.
Coordinated the outline application submission and drafted the EIA/Environmental Statement (ES).
Attended public consultation events.
Worked closely with the Local Planning Authority and negotiated the S106 Agreement.
Presented to the Planning Committee and secured the grant of planning permission in November 2024.
Sarah continues to advise and provide comprehensive planning services to the client, discharging planning conditions, preparing and submitting reserved matters applications.

How we added value

Through management of a delicate strategy, patience and timing, the consultant team successfully achieved the allocation of this important Green Belt site on the edge of Hitchin.
This was followed by the grant of the outline planning permission.
The first reserved matters for the strategic highway and drainage infrastructure were also successfully achieved in October 2025.
Construction of this key sustainable development is to commence in 2026.

"“I have been working with Sarah for the last year on our major site for the delivery of up to 700 dwellings at Highover Farm, Hitchin. Sarah has proved to be invaluable to me both with her experience and knowledge as well as her calm and level-headed approach to some quite complex issues. She shows a good level of common-sense and pragmatism in dealing with matters connected to the site and always has a commercial eye on any requests made by the planning authority. She is a good team player and helps to manage the consultants to get positive results. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to both project manage and deal with detailed and complex planning matters”"

Mark Osborn BA(Hons) DipTP MRTPI, Senior Planning Manager, BDW North Thames

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