An environmental action group is calling for help to restore Pirton's last remaining meadows, after fears over development on the Wrights Farm were allayed at appeal.
In 2019, Herts County Council submitted plans for four dwellings on the disused farm site in Shillington Road - following the demolition of existing farm buildings. Plans were rejected by North Herts Council's planning committee.
Herts County Council called in the decision - and now, the Planning Inspector has quashed the appeal.
Action groups, WildAboutPirton and Wrights Farm Working Group, are now continuing the fight to restore the biodiversity benefits of the site and to save the surrounding meadows.
Wrights Farm is owned by Herts County Council. It was previously a working farm, latterly for equestrian use, and has been unoccupied for nearly five years.
It has become "derelict" and "largely neglected", the group says, despite its meadows being among the last meadows Pirton has.
A group spokesperson said: "Proposals to restore this rare group of chalk meadows, along with a chalk stream which runs through the farm, have been communicated to Herts County Council.
"As a large landowner, and to help the council tackle climate change, it has stated that it has 'nine green ambitions', two of which are to 'improve biodiversity on our land by 20 per cent by 2030” and “improve wildlife in our land and water by 20 per cent by 2050.'
"So why not start with Wrights Farm and do the (w)right thing and restore these meadows to their true potential!"
WildaboutPirton sought advice from the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and believes that, with the correct management, the meadows could be restored.
A Herts County Council spokesperson confirmed: "The strategic priorities of Herts County Council focus on excellent services, health and wellbeing, the environment and sustainable responsible growth.
"The Wrights Farm site will have a full review in the context of the inspector's appeal decision. This, along with specific site designations, will all be carefully considered in the future planning strategy for this site."
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