Affordable homes for Borehamwood after Bushey development approved

A total of 26 new homes and a "state-of-the-art" replacement clubhouse are to be built at Hartsbourne Country Club in Bushey Heath after plans were approved by Hertsmere Borough Council.

The club says "modern and improved" facilities need to be provided in order for the club to "survive" - with new homes helping to pay for that investment.

But as part of this development, Borehamwood is set to receive a boost in its affordable housing provision.

The applicants have agreed to buy seven flats at Prestige House, which is near Elstree & Borehamwood station.

These flats will then be transferred to an affordable housing provider. It is planned that five of the seven flats will be available at affordable rent with two for shared ownership. Prestige House currently has planning permission to be demolished and replaced with nine flats.

Prestige House in Station Road, Borehamwood. Credit: Google Maps

At the planning commitee meeting on August 12, Borehamwood Labour councillor Michelle Vince raised questions about why affordable housing was being placed in Borehamwood, rather than Bushey.

Planning papers presented to the committee stated the service charges for these particular homes at Hartsbourne would be "prohibitively expensive" to occupiers of affordable housing, adding none of the new homes would likely be "genuinely affordable" because of the price of housing in this part of Hertsmere.

Council officers added the guaranteed provision of affordable housing in Borehamwood was a better option for the council than the applicants paying a sum of money towards providing affordable housing in the borough.

An overview of Hartsbourne Country Club in Bushey Heath. Credit: Hertsmere Borough Council

As part of the proposals granted by the council at Hartsbourne Country Club, an existing clubhouse will be converted into ten homes, while a cottage will be turned into seven homes.

Six homes will be built within an existing stable block with a further two inside Manor Cottage.

A swimming pool and restaurant will be be demolished to allow for the construction of a replacement clubhouse and leisure facility.

A Power Point slide shown to the planning committee of the country club proposals. Credit: Hertsmere Borough Council Webcast

Planning agent Sam Metson said this facility will include a pool, gym, fitness studio, and spa and planning documents state it will open to a "wider audience".

Hartsbourne Country Club, which includes an 18 and nine-hole golf course, has been in existence for the past 80 years and currently has a membership of about 800 members. However, it has been battling falling membership and rising maintenance costs.

Mr Metson said: "The application is fundamentally about securing the viable future for the sports and leisure facilities provided at the club."

A CGI of the proposed new clubhouse shown to the planning committee. Credit: Hertsmere Borough Council webcast/Hartsbourne Properties Ltd

Hartsbourne Country Club's plans were unanimously approved by the planning committee, subject to a section 106 agreement relating to the affordable housing contribution at Prestige House.