Local News 2025
June 1. 2023 Town Council gives a resounding NO to the L&G 550 homes in North West Harpenden
May 30th. 2023/ Harpenden Town Council EXTRAORDINARY MEETING to review
LAND AT COOTERS END LANE AND AMBROSE LANE PLANNING APPLICATION by Legal & General.
Within the Harpenden Neighbourhood Plan the North-West Infrastructure Zone states that significant development proposals in the North-West must:
Demonstrate how impact of new development on the A1081 and local roads will be mitigated.
Demonstrate provision for appropriate education facilities in close proximity to new development to meet the need for school places arising from the proposed development.
Demonstrate sufficient convenience shopping within a close proximity to new development.
Demonstrate sufficient open space, including recreational space in line with local community needs, within a close proximity to new development.
Having reviewed the applicant’s evidence it appears that these requirements have not been met in full.
A1081 and local roads - The development is likely to have an additional significant negative impact on the local road network. The A1081 adjacent to the development is already heavily congested and the neighbouring residential streets are tight and already subject to much ‘rat running’. The constraints in that area make it very difficult for any effective mitigating measures to be put in place therefore there is little surprise that the applicant appears to have not been able to demonstrate realistic mitigations.
Education facilities - The previous draft Local Plan required the site to provide a primary school. A primary school is no longer proposed by the applicant as the modelling suggests that it is not needed. However, having reviewed contributions to the consultation from Hertfordshire County Council it appears that they suggest that a primary school provision may still be needed.
Convenience shopping - The proposal appears to rely upon the existing parade of shops along the A1081. It is not clear if this is sufficient to support the needs of the new development.
Open Space - There is a sufficient level of recreation and open space included within the proposals. The proposals could be strengthened by replacing one of the grass sports pitches to an all-weather facility. There remains additional demand for this type of facility in the area.
Proposals Affecting the A1081, B653 and B652
The Application does set out highways improvements measures however; these are based upon the inaccuracies of the transport assessment mentioned above. Therefore, it appears that the measures will not ease traffic congestion on the A1081, nor will they minimise the disruption to traffic flow both of which are key requirements of this Policy.
Travel Plans
This focuses on the requirement for applicants to maximise the use of sustainable travel modes. The proposal sets out a number of suggestions relating to sustainable travel modes and we would make the following observations:
The proposed cycle path infrastructure measures appear entirely inappropriate and ineffective.
The on-road cycle route is unsafe and does nothing to address the most challenging aspect of the route which is when it reaches the Nickey Line bridge. The ‘quietway’ route encompasses narrow country lanes and residential streets with significant on-street parking. The applicant refers to the need for additional surveys to be undertaken and so it appears that the feasibility and deliverability of these proposals is unclear.
THE FINAL DECISION ON THIS PLANNING APPLICATION RESTS WITH ST ALBANS DISTRICT COUNCIL
April 4. Government approves Luton Airport plan to allow potential 32m passengers a year.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander granted the development consent order for the airport’s plans to expand its perimeter and add a new terminal, allowing a potential 32 million passengers a year.
The decision overturns the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation for refusal. Expansion will deliver huge growth benefits for Luton with thousands of good, new jobs and a cash boost for the local council which owns the airport.
Last year, 16.7 million people used the airport, the fourth largest in the London area and a base for a number of leisure airlines.
LUTON AIRPORT COMMENT
The DCO application to grow our airport has been approved
Paul Kehoe CBE, Independent Chair of Luton Rising, the Luton Council company that owns London Luton Airport and associated assets for community benefit, said:
“We welcome the announcement from the Secretary of State for Transport that our application for the long-term sustainable growth of our airport has been approved. Today’s decision enables us to continue detailed planning for the next chapter in the success story of London Luton Airport.
“The benefits are clear. At a new capacity of 32 million passengers per year, our scheme will deliver up to 11,000 new jobs, additional annual economic activity of up to £1.5bn, and up to an additional £13m every year for communities and good causes.
“By introducing maximum limits for the airport’s noise, operational greenhouse gas emissions, air quality and surface access impacts, we also believe that our Green Controlled Growth framework represents the most far-reaching commitment to the sustainable operation of an airport ever put forward in the UK.
“We would like to thank the many thousands in the local and business communities who have supported us in successfully making the case for growth. From polling that we commissioned last year, we also know that more than five times as many people support London Luton Airport’s expansion plans than oppose them
“We will review the details of the Order and look forward to working with our partners to realise the significant economic, employment and social benefits for our town, the region and across the UK, as we contribute towards the Government’s vision for national growth.”
50 Harpenden businesses signed an open letter to SADC ( directly addressed to Cllr Paul De Kort, leader of SADC, and Amanda Foley, chief exec) against the High Street parking charges.
Organised by campaigner Elaine Bradford, a former high street shop owner and now a hypnotherapist with a practice on the High St.
She engaged with the businesses below. Two conditions have been requested in the letter:
Immediate suspension of the Harpenden parking charges - pending a thorough consultation with all stakeholders.
Introduction of a more balanced and fair traffic management and parking policy.
Alex Cowland, director, Alex Barbers
Abdul Hye, managing director, Bangkok Lounge
Nick & Julie Pike, owners, Bar Azita
Karen Blair, owner, Blush Beauty
Claire McKenna, osteopath/director, Body Mechanix
Alan Bramwell, practice owner, Bramwell Dental Practice
Patricia Adam, owner, Cache
Katarzyna Albinska, shop manager, Cancer Research UK Harpenden
Mark Wilson, director, Charles Wilson Engineers Ltd
Maxine Ryan, landlady, Cross Keys Public House
Troy Kiff, manager, District Modern Stores
Liam Lawless & Alicja Szypryt, studio owners, fit20 Harpenden
Daoud Hawa, store manager, Fonehouse Harpenden
Erdogan Dari, owner, Golden Scissors Barbers
Yusuf Dari, owner, Golden Touch Barbers
Jack, general manager, Harpenden Arms
Philip Egan, proprietor, Harpenden Eye Centre
Mary McGovern, practice manager, Harpenden Orthodontics
Hemant Vakharia, owner, Healthy and Wise
Robert Beiny, managing director, Hearing Healthcare Practice
Ken Edwards, managing director, Hertfordshire Air Conditioning
Jonas Hurst, director, Hurst Childrens’ Theatre Group
Beth Russell, branch manager, Johnson's Cleaners Harpenden
Alexis Weatherley, owner, Jolie Nail & Beauty
Andrei Lussmann, managing director, Lussmanns
Tom Zadok, assistant manager, Majestic Wine
Craig Main & Alexander Andrews, director, Main Hair Gallery
Dr L Mileham, owner, Milehams Car Parts Ltd
Barrie Woolston, director, Molasses House
Hasan Aslan, owner, Okka Restaurant
Fiona Grant, owner, Oui Harpenden Ltd
Olga Sipcenoka, managing director, Portofino Harpenden Ltd
Martin Williams & Robert Belcher, co-owners, R&M Butchers
Sharon Cousins, director, Rebecca Jane Health & Beauty Ltd
Mary Durkin, owner, Serena Hart
Donna Browne, manager, Silver Palate
Penny Swanne, managing director, Swanne Boutique Ltd
Luke Gumley, general manager, The George of Harpenden
Jack Rugman general manager, The Harpenden Arms
Niki Hackett, landlady, The Oddfellows Public House
Johnny Shepherd, founder, The Pudding Stop
Lee Hughes, director, The Shaken Cow
Olivia Reeder, manager, The Silver Cup
Baris Dari, owner, The Turkish Barber
Mark Watson, director, The Waffle House Harpenden
Damien Tidd, owner, Thompsons Close Café
Lara Wares, director, Threads of Harpenden Ltd
Bharat Shah, pharmacist and owner, Tompkins Pharmacy
Sean Fletcher, director, Travel Four Seasons (Harpenden) Ltd
Suzanne Shipton, director, Tuckfield & Co Estates
Elaine said: "Over the weeks this is now not only about local businesses but also includes, residents, visitors, employees of businesses in the town and particularly the elderly and most vulnerable who are struggling with the complexity of the new parking arrangements. AND
"I have been in Harpenden for the best part of 25 years and I don’t want to see the high street decimated."
Suggestions for a more equal initiative include "one to two hours of free parking to encourage footfall", "more flexible permits for shoppers, workers, and elderly residents who do not qualify for a Blue Badge", and "the inclusion of cash payment options to ensure accessibility for all."
Other concerns include elderly residents feeling "excluded" by the new system and the "decline in footfall" which was labelled "immediate and severe".
Craig Main and Alexander Andrews, directors of Main Hair Gallery said: "The introduction of high street parking charges has led to a noticeable drop in footfall, reducing our sales compared to the previous year and recent months.
"Customers are deterred by the added cost and inconvenience, affecting not just our salon but the wider high street. Combined with rising business rates, these challenges are making it increasingly difficult for local businesses to remain competitive and sustainable."
Meanwhile, Niki Hackett of The Oddfellows Arms pub added: "My lunchtime trade is down by at least 60 per cent, a lot of my customers are elderly and do not have smart phones and are scared to use the machines".
Government backs airport expansion at any price
The proposal for further massive expansion of Luton Airport was thoroughly examined by a team of professional planning inspectors, who recommended that the plan should not go ahead because of its noise and environmental impacts.
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, has overruled this advice and granted permission for a further 13 million passengers and over 170,000 flights a year – with 70% more of them at night – at Luton Airport.
With Britain facing significant economic challenges, this decision makes no sense because the costs of airport expansion far outweigh any benefits.
In 2019, when aviation was at its busiest, there was a £30bn balance of trade deficit in tourism due to more people spending money overseas than bringing it in, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The increasing costs of damage caused by climate change will rub out any benefits from the government’s Green Power Plan in 5 years according to the New Economics Foundation.
Being awoken at night by aircraft noise increases the chance of stroke or heart disease according to the World Health Organisation. Increased health harms add to the costs on the NHS.
And the local transport infrastructure is insufficient to cope with the additional passenger load at Luton according to the planning inspectors who examined the application. Increased gridlock penalises other local businesses.
The inspectors strongly recommended against the expansion due to harm arising from noise and vibration effects. Noise blight caused by Luton Airport expansion is likely to negatively affect economic prosperity in the area.
Setting all of this in context: is the government’s approach genuinely sustainable? Will airport expansion and increased emissions from cheap flights leave the world in a better state for future generations? We think not – and having fed the documents into ChatGPT it agrees. Here’s its verdict:
“Whether the mitigation measures proposed for the London Luton Airport Expansion are truly sustainable depends on how “sustainability” is defined and weighed across environmental, economic, and social factors. Here’s an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed sustainability measures:
1. Environmental Sustainability: Mixed Results
Pros:
The plan includes carbon offsetting, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption, and renewable energy use in airport operations.
Commitments to biodiversity protection and noise insulation help reduce local environmental harm.
Cons:
Carbon offsetting is often criticized as a short-term fix rather than a real reduction in emissions.
SAF is still in early adoption stages, with limited availability and high costs.
Increased air traffic will inevitably raise overall emissions, conflicting with UK climate goals.
Verdict: While the measures help, they do not fully neutralize the environmental impact, especially concerning long-term aviation emissions.
2. Economic Sustainability: Likely Strong
Pros:
The expansion promises job creation, regional economic growth, and improved business opportunities.
Improved transport infrastructure benefits both airport users and local commuters.
Cons:
Future aviation demand is uncertain, especially with post-pandemic travel shifts and remote work trends.
There is a risk of overestimating economic benefits while underestimating environmental costs.
Verdict: Strong in the short-to-medium term, but long-term viability depends on future aviation demand and government regulations.
3. Social Sustainability: Divided
Pros:
Noise insulation programs and flight path optimizations aim to reduce disruptions for local communities.
Expansion could improve international connectivity, benefiting passengers and businesses.
Cons:
Increased noise pollution and air quality issues could still negatively impact residents’ health and well-being.
Local opposition suggests concerns about the quality of life deterioration.
Verdict: Some improvements are planned, but local communities may still bear significant burdens from increased airport activity.
Final Assessment: Is It Truly Sustainable?
No, not entirely. While the expansion includes some sustainability efforts, it does not fully offset its environmental impact or prevent potential long-term challenges such as increased emissions and noise pollution. Economic benefits are strong, but the environmental trade-offs remain significant.”
Credit: ChatGPT, OpenAI, 4 April 2025
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Scam Alert - Lifeline Service
{Dear FIRST_NAME}
Please beware of a scam involving the Lifeline service.This service is legitimate and is designed to assist particularly vulnerable people with what are known as community alarms should they require assistance.
A company called Medical Alert Services is contacting Dacorum Borough Council Tenants claiming that the Lifeline unit will stop working once the switch to digital is made. Medical Alert Services are then requesting sensitive information, such as bank account details, addresses and key safe numbers.THIS IS A SCAM
Should you have the LIFELINE Service or know of someone who does, please tell them about this scam and if you receive a phone call from them, it should be reported immediately to a supporting housing officer and the Police on 101.
Dacorum Borough Council have acted quickly with a letter to residents and this is a further alert to inform everyone.
Kind regards
Simon
Harpenden Mayor Opens New Playground During Parliament Week
St Nicholas School was delighted to welcome Councillor Beth Fisher, the Harpenden Town Mayor, for the official opening of its newly upgraded garden and playground area. The development includes exciting new climbing equipment, table football, and a musical play zone, creating a vibrant space for children to enjoy.
This project was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Harpenden Trust and funds raised by the PTA, whose support has been invaluable in enhancing the school environment.
The opening coincided with Parliament Week, providing a valuable opportunity for children to engage with local democracy. Pupils asked the Mayor thoughtful questions about the role and responsibilities of local government, including why parking is expensive and why roads are frequently being dug up.
Mrs Crouch, Headteacher, said: “The children are absolutely loving the new space, enjoying the freedom to run around and play on the exciting new equipment, as well as taking part in outdoor learning and wellbeing activities.”
Councillor Beth Fisher commented: “It took some will power not to try the brilliant new play equipment at your welcoming school. The PTA and staff have done a great job creating a play area that meets the children’s needs, and they were eager to tell me how much they enjoy it. Cutting the ribbon was my first as Mayor, and a very memorable one. Thank you for a lovely morning.”
St Nicholas School extends its gratitude to the Harpenden Trust, the PTA, and Councillor Beth Fisher for making this memorable occasion possible.
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE FOOTBALL NEWS.
SATURDAY 27TH DECEMBER SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.
COLNEY HEATH 3 CRAWLEY GREEN 1 HT 1-0.
Colney Heath at home to Crawley Green picked up all three points with a 3-1 win for their first league victory since October 4th when they beat Potton Utd at home by four goals to one and I was at both matches and they were great games to watch with some great goals in both matches. Early on against Crawley the Magpies nearly took the lead when Mayer Hajousman crossed the ball from the right for Will Andiyapan to send a glancing header just wide of the far upright and then on eight minutes saw the Magpies get their noses in front with a well worked goal. Hajousman played the ball quickly to Andiyapan who slipped it to CURTIS DIBLEY inside the box whereupon he instantly struck the ball low into the bottom right hand corner past Cameron Groom to put Colney Heath 1-0 up. Shimron Eaton then sent a rising drive just over whilst at the other end Finbar King saw his well struck shot saved by Renell McKenzie-Lyle and play quickly switched to the other end and Dibley fired just wide of the near post.
Ollie Trott shot just wide for Crawley whilst for the Magpies Andiyapan had a free kick saved and Teddy Jones cut in from the left and saw his firm shot slip through the hands of Groom the Crawley keeper but luckily for him the ball clipped the top of the bar and went over and later on Jones saw another of his well struck shots caught under the crossbar by a good stop from Groom.
The second half only three minutes old when Crawley scored an equalising goal when with the young Magpies pressing forward in search of a second goal saw them caught on the break when the visitors broke away and Jordan KINOSHI with time and space calmly finished and drilled the ball home past Renell McKenzie-Lyle to make it 1-1.
After conceding this goal the young Magpies really woke up to get back in front and Sachon Edwards headed just wide following a good ball in from Hajousman and then from two yards out Will Andiyapan saw him push the ball just wide of the back post after Curtis Dibley had crossed the ball in low from the right. Next up saw Sachon Edwards put over a good ball into the box whereupon Will Andiyapan saw his effort blocked on the line by Lewis William and at the other end sawJason Beck head the just wide following a corner kick. Finally after a bit of pressure the Magpies regained the lead when Jones and Burke worked well down the left which saw the latter sweep the ball low across into the box for SACHON EDWARDS to get that vital touch in front of goal and although Groom got a touch he could do nothing as the ball spun past him and into the back of the net to make it 2-1 to Colney Heath. Harrison Burke then had a shot deflected just wide for a corner kick and Jed Ejjahya had a header come back off the far upright and then the visitors were reduced to ten players when Ciaran Maher picked up a second yellow card after bringing down Burke from behind as he was racing clear.
Andiyapan then had a shot blocked by Groom who also did well to stop a well struck shot from the same player minutes later and then Kyresse Williams set up George Small who also saw his firm strike saved by Groom.
In the final minute of the match saw the young Magpies wrapped the match up when they scored a third goal and what a beauty it was when Will Andiyapan played the ball out wide down the left to TEDDY JONES whereupon he cut in towards the Crawley and unleashed a fantastic curling shot past Groom and into the top right hand corner to make the final score 3-1 to the young Magpies(or as Twitter says, Teddy Jones sends his marker for a hotdog then finds top bins!).
TEAM. McKenzie-Lyle, Eaton, Strazza, J. Ejjahya, Seeby, Willing, Hajousman, S. Ejjahya, Edwards, Andiyapan, Dibley. Subs: Small, Burke, Emiloju, Jones, Williams(all played).
Harpenden Town were away to Kings Langley also in the premier division of the Spartan South Midlands League but they lost 1-0 to a goal scored by Matt BATEMANS during the first half.
Meanwhile the Harpenden Town Reserves were at home to 61 FC Luton in division two and they drew 4-4 with goals from Miller SMITH, Joe LOWTHER, Stefan FRINCU and Reece LAMBERT.
Meanwhile in division one saw London Colney go 3-1 away to Leighton Town Reserves with Francis TANGO scoring the Blueboys only goal of the match.
Terry Edwards. FOOTBALL AS IT'S MEANT TO BE.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES :
HARPENDEN TOWN. SATURDAY JANUARY 3RD HOME BIGGLESWADE UTD KO 3PM. ADMISSION £10 CONCESSIONS £5. CASH OR CARD.
HARPENDEN TOWN WOMEN. SUNDAY JANUARY 4TH. HOME WROXHAM WOMAN. KO 2PM ADMISSION £6 CONCESSIONS £3.
CASH OR CARD. COME AND BLOW THOSE XMAS AND NEW YEAR COBWEBS OFF AND SUPPORT THE HARPS WOMEN.
COLNEY HEATH. SATURDAY JANUARY 3RD. HOME KEMPSTON ROVERS KO 3PM. ADMISSION £8 CONCESSIONS £5.
Terry Edwards. FOOTBALL AS IT'S MEANT TO BE.
TOWN COUNCIL COMMISSIONS
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
ON ACCESSING
TOWN CENTRE
The Town Council has commissioned independent research that seeks to gather the opinions of residents and town centre businesses on accessing and visiting Harpenden’s town centre. The surveys will include questions regarding changes to the limited waiting parking bays which were introduced in February.
The residents’ survey will be posted to every household in Harpenden so that views are gathered from as many local people as possible. All members of each household aged 16 or over will be invited to take part in an online questionnaire (or they can request a printed copy) using a unique identifier code to ensure reliable results.
Businesses located in Harpenden Town Centre will be also asked to take part in a telephone or face to face interview.
The Town Council aims to gather information to help understand changes within the local area and any resulting impact on the town centre.
The survey is being carried out by an independent research company, Public Perspectives, on behalf of Harpenden Town Council. Research will take place in November and December 2025.
Contact:
Questions from residents and businesses who require assistance in taking part in the survey should be directed to Public Perspectives by email: surveys@publicperspectives.co.uk or FREEPHONE 0800 865 4898. Residents, should quote pass number which is printed on their letter.
Further information:
Independence and confidentiality
The survey is being carried out by an independent research company, Public Perspectives, on behalf of Harpenden Town Council. Responses are confidential and anonymous. This means that answers and opinions expressed in the research will not be published alongside personal details, and all information will be stored securely in line with data protection legislation.
Dec. Have your say on local policing priorities across Hertfordshire
Anti-social behaviour, speeding and drug crime are just some of the issues that Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) across Hertfordshire have been working to address over the past three months, as a direct result of public feedback.
The teams are once again seeking views from residents as they set their next round of local policing priorities in the new year.
You can give your opinions via the following survey - https://bit.ly/hertspolice-psf
What is a local policing priority?
NPTs work alongside partners to focus on solving long and short-term neighbourhood issues, such as anti-social behaviour, theft, speeding and drug-related crime. They set local policing priorities every four months, to provide a specific focus on the issues which are currently causing the most concern to residents locally.
What can the public expect?
Residents will see their dedicated team of PCs and PCSOs working alongside partners to address the agreed priorities, through an increased police presence, engagement events and targeted enforcement.
What about other crime and issues?
Every area of the county is covered by a NPT but is also policed by response officers who attend emergency calls, detectives who investigate crimes such as burglary, robbery and assault, and specialist countywide units. While there will be a focus on the local priorities, officers will continue to respond to daily business as usual, as well as forcewide priorities, such as burglary and violence against women and girls, and any emerging issues which require more immediate action.
Feedback from members of the public plays a big part in our decision making and is used to help shape the priorities, alongside an analysis of local data.
We want to ensure that local policing resources are focusing on the issues that matter most, so we’d encourage everyone to share their views with us.
If you have previously completed the survey, we’d ask for your feedback once again for it to be reviewed as part of the new priority setting period.
The survey is being run through the Herts Connected platform, but you do not need to be a member to take part. However, we would encourage people to sign up if they are happy to do so, so that we can contact you for information about an issue if needed.
You can see what your community is saying in response to this survey by visiting https://hertsconnected.co.uk/Content/AllLocalAreas and entering your postcode.
To keep up with progress around the priorities, follow your local police account on Facebook or visit the ‘Your area’ section of the Herts police website.
Ends
Dec. World First for ART in Harpenden. Molasses House secures the rights for USA artist Deborah Azzopardi.
The Gallery in Station Rd was devoted exclusively to her work at the moment following the official Launch event on Dec 4th.
See the group photos and a couple with Deborah herself and 2 amazing artworks.
