We would like residents of Little Gaddesden to urgently respond to a planning application from the National Trust the Interim Car Park by end of play Wednesday 30th April 25. Application number on Dacorum planning web site is 25/00855/MFA. See link below.
The application involves the creation of a large chargeable car park behind the cafe and the closure of the drive to parking. The proposal states that the car park is temporary for ten years.
Residents should form their own opinions, but the Parish Council will be objecting to the application on the following grounds:
- Highways safety: No consideration has been given to the parking of cars on the verges on the highway from people who do not wish to pay for parking.
- That the National Trust does not have the right to close the whole width of Monument drive to cars.
- The ten years is too long for a temporary car park.
- That the habitat of the field designated for the car park is as valuable as the the habitat of Monument Drive and this will be destroyed.
- That there are significant other options that have not been explored with the existing car parks on the estate that will achieve a more environmentally sustainable approach.
The National Trust are seeking feedback as below.
A letter with details is saved on the Parish Council Website under the Planning Tab Ashridge Estate Monument Drive Commons Consent Letter
Below is the Text from the Email which attached the Ashridge Estate Monument Drive Commons Consent Letter
Good morning,
As a local Parish Council to Ashridge Estate and Aldbury Common (CL073), we would like to detail some changes we plan to make along Monument Drive at Ashridge Estate as part of our Protecting Our Roots project to protect the long-term future of the special landscape.
As you will be aware from previous discussion, we have been developing plans for an Interim Car Park to be constructed at Meadley’s Meadow (just south of the existing Visitor Centre) which will allow us to close the parking areas along the grass verges of Monument Drive where the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is being damaged through the intensity of use. Removing cars from these areas will allow us to commence a process of restoration for the verges so we can ultimately seek to reinstate high quality acid grassland in these locations.
Part of these proposals is the installation of a permanent low-rail fence along the length of Monument Drive to control parking on the grass verges and protect the SAC. As Monument Drive is within the boundary of Aldbury Common, we are seeking commons consent from Defra to undertake the work and wish to consult with interested parties as part of the application process. Please find attached a letter detailing our proposals. We welcome any comments about these plans ahead of submitting the commons consent application in May.