Dacorum has 'done a U-turn in Piccotts End development'
Regarding their core strategy I got Dacorum to send me the government planning inspector’s report. This was done in 2002 and included consideration of the Marchmont Fields site as an extension to Grovehill. The good thing is that the Inspector did specifically talk about a separation from Piccotts End being preserved. Dacorum are now saying that Green Belt sites should be the last to be developed, so in theory it could be years before anything happens there.
The report starts by noting that the Council ‘accepts that the land is not productive in agricultural terms but does not consider that this is a reason for developing it.’ The Inspector, however, ruled that he did think the site was acceptable for development, but he particularly mentioned its proximity to Piccotts End: The area is separated by a noticeable ridge in the topography. There is therefore little visual interconnection between the areas. Providing any housing was sited to the east of this ridge I do not consider that it would result in a visual or physical coalescence with Piccotts End.
So, while unfortunately he did give his general approval for the site to be considered for development, he also gave consideration to Piccotts End and evidently recognised that there should be some physical separation - a ‘substantial landscape buffer’ (trees and plantings?) – between any new building and the rest of Marchmont Fields.
NB the site we’re talking about is the top end of the field, which is owned by English Partnerships, and not Colin Poole’s land, where the car boots take place – I would imagine this would form the ‘reasonable gap’ the inspector stressed. Obviously, since this was published, the site has been accepted by Dacorum and they’ve done a U-turn on their previous opposition.
Penny Gore
Piccotts End Lane.
Why we must say No to 3-storey plan
I'm appalled at what's said about Marchmont Fields - "a mixture of 2- and 3-storey homes". I've played with the Ordnance Survey map and contours - plain as the nose on one's face that 3-storey homes would be clearly visible from as low down as the Leighton Buzzard Road. All those in the current "Grovehill West" around Marlborough rise are 2-storey and also designed, deliberately, with low mono-pitched roofs so they don't stand out like a pimple on a pig's backside against the skyline. So, for me, the most important single change I'll be wanting to see is the elimination of any reference to 3-storey homes. I'm minded to remind the Inspector that, right now, the West Grovehill development is, effectively, hidden from view by a 2-metre-high hedge because it is all low-rise - IF they were misguided enough to build further down the hill it would need a 60-foot-high forest to screen 3-storey buildings from the conservation area and from the Gade gateway into Hemel Hempstead.
Michael Nidd
The Old Bakery
Introducing Tim, Julia and family
We have just completed our purchase of 138 Piccotts End and would like to introduce ourselves. We are Tim & Julia Blinko and our sons James & Alex. We won't actually be moving in for a while, as we are having some restoration work done to the house first. Tim is Professor of Music at the University of Hertfordshire and Julia teaches piano, clarinet and flute in schools and is a keen singer. We are very much looking forward to becoming residents of Piccotts End.
Julia Blinko
You're invited on a blind date!
As a Piccotts End resident for over 6 years I'd like to introduce my company, Presence Interiors (
www.presenceinteriors.com, tel 01582 793866), the curtain & blind specialist. We are based in Redbourn with a small showroom and offer all services for home furnishings. You're welcome to pop to us or we can come to you.
Neil Presence
Piccotts End Lane
Does anyone know the lady who really is an oil painting?
I recently got a splendid portrait pastel painting from auction with the name Diane Pratt, Potten end. I want to find out more of the person in the painting. Do you know of her or a family called Pratt in your area who she could be related to. This is a superb portrait done in the style of Renoir and could be quite old. But I can find no other reference to her. Can you help. Thankyou.
Jeff Ward
artwarduk@yahoo.co.uk
Does anyone have any info on baker George?
I am following my wife's family tree and find via the 1871 census that a George Cook lived at 22 Piccotts End as a baker. Does anyone have any info on him or his family, or photos of this house.
Thanks.
Jack Danbury
jack.danbury@sky.com
Thank you PERA
Just a little note of thanks, for all the hard work that has gone into the PE website , thank you also to the PERA for the hard work that goes into looking after the interest of the village. This is the first time Peter and I have browsed the website. How lucky are we that people care. Thank you.
Eileen Teakle
Horseshoe Cottage
Red kite alert!
Out walking I saw a kite (the bird!)just above the car park to the old rifle range in Dodds Lane. It was very low and obviously hovering over something in the adjacent field. This is the second time I have seen one here. Interestingly this time a sparrow hawk tried to chase it off ... but failed.
David Stanier
110 Piccotts End
This is a red kite, which has spread from the Chilterns in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to Hertfordshire. It's easily recognisable by its huge wingspan (nearly two metres) and distinctive markings. I also saw one (probably the same one) circling over Highfield the other day. Though birds of prey red kites prefer carrion, however according to other sightings reported in the Gazette they are not averse to the odd pigeon! - Ed.
