A proposal to build hundreds of homes and relocate Shenley Primary School looks very unlikely after it was not taken forward in Hertsmere Borough Council’s draft local plan.

The Comer Group had aspirations to create a new development on land it owns off Black Lion Hill in Shenley.

Comer put the green belt site forward for houses, a school, and new employment space.

But planning documents released by the council last week suggested officers had not deemed the site suitable to redevelop over the next 15 years after the land was not listed in the draft local plan.

Borehamwood Times: Rectory Farm land in Shenley that has been rejected from the council's draft local planRectory Farm land in Shenley that has been rejected from the council's draft local plan

In the lead-up to the draft local plan publication, the council estimated 370 homes could be built on the land known as Rectory Farm.

A masterplan drawn up by The Comer Group’s agents Savills also showed a new primary school on the proposed development – or the expansion and relocation of Shenley Primary School, which is in London Road.

But the draft local plan has stated Hertfordshire County Council – the body responsible for education in the county – has identified "constraints" that limit an expansion of Shenley Primary, adding the relocation and delivery of a larger school on a new site within the village would "not be viable".

Borehamwood Times: An outline in red of the land proposed for housing redevelopment. Marked in yellow was a proposed school with employment space to the left. Credit: Google MapsAn outline in red of the land proposed for housing redevelopment. Marked in yellow was a proposed school with employment space to the left. Credit: Google Maps

The draft local plan has identified some land in Shenley that looks likely to be redeveloped to meet Government housing targets of at least 760 homes per year in the borough until 2038.

The plan states an anticipated 350 new homes, including specialist older persons’ housing, will be provided in Shenley, of which 290 are proposed to be delivered on two sites allocated through the local plan.

This includes 140 homes on land off London Road opposite Shenley Primary School, along with a care facility for 100 people. There are 50 homes lined up on land in Harris Lane between Anderson Road and Mimms Lane.

Borehamwood Times: CGI of the proposed Hertswood StudiosCGI of the proposed Hertswood Studios (Image: Bidwells)

A little further afield, 800 homes are earmarked on land between Cowley Hill and Rowley Lane near Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, along with what is being dubbed the UK’s "largest" film studios on land near the Mops and Brooms pub in Well End.

And a site in Shenley Hill on the outskirts of Radlett has been identified for 195 homes with 40 homes at Porters Park Golf Club.

Further sites have been identified across Borehamwood, Elstree, Radlett, Bushey, Potters Bar, and other parts of Hertsmere, with the largest development set to be a new 6,000 home estate on land off Coursers Road between London Colney and Colney Heath.

Residents and businesses will have the opportunity to comment on the council’s draft local plan when it goes to consultation.

It is expected this six-week period of consultation will begin on October 11 2021.