A planning application for up to 42 homes has been approved after its site was removed from the green belt.

The field, north of The Close and east of Grange Rise in Codicote, was allocated as a potential housing site for up to 48 properties in the North Herts Local Plan.

This removed some of the restrictions on building in the former green belt land and Manor Oak Homes subsequently submitted outline plans for a development there.

Access to the site would be provided off The Close, in the east of the village. (Image: Manor Oak Homes) North Herts Council’s planning control committee considered the application on Thursday (November 21) and granted approval with one abstention and no votes against.

As it was only an outline proposal, with all matters reserved apart from access, full plans will still need to be drawn up and approved before any construction work can take place.

Based on planning documents, homes in the development will likely range from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom homes.

Manor Oak Homes says that its scheme will act as a “natural extension to the village” and include public open spaces.

Assessing the proposed access, Hertfordshire Highways initially raised concerns but a response prior to the planning meeting apparently “satisfactorily addressed” these, leaving Highways officers happy with the vehicular and pedestrian access arrangements.

These include a new footway on the eastern side of The Close and a pedestrian crossing in Valley Road.