Agenda item

Motion

Boulders on The Green, Croxley Green

Mr. Graeme Dibb addressed the committee highlighting significant community disquiet regarding the boulders on The Green and emphasised that the issues relate to the visual impact, conservation and safety concerns. The boulders have raised health and safety risks for pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable users such as wheelchair and pushchair users, as well as children who might climb the boulders and fall into traffic. Alternative solutions proposed include reinstating posts or considering a bund and revisiting bylaws to allow traffic wardens to issue fines. The speaker questioned whether the boulders represent a material change to the Croxley Green Conservation Area’s unique character, suggesting that a formal planning application should have been submitted. The speaker urged the committee to a properly funded solution to replace the boulders with sustainable, conservation friendly measures.

Mr. Barry Grant addressed concerns regarding the boulders on The Green, stating that the community has expressed widespread negative feedback about the boulders. The speaker advocated for reinstating timber stakes, which previously contributed positively to The Green’s openness and heritage. The speaker highlighted the lack of cost assessment for replacing timber stakes and the Council’s claimed budget constraints. The speaker requested information about any risk assessment conducted and noted the absence of a conservation officer at the Council as a factor in the current situation. The Croxley Green Residents Association seeks collaboration with the Council and parish to remove the boulder, reinstall timber posts and better manage parking.

Councillor Cheryl Stungo addressed the committee emphasising the significance of the matter by noting the unprecedented level of public stir it has caused, and appealed for a calm, clear-headed review of the placement of the boulders.

Councillor Chris Mitchell introduced the motion and explained the background of the recurring parking issues on The Green. Attempts to secure funding for replacement posts faced budget constraints and partial funding rejections. Subsequently, it was decided to replace the posts with boulders, paid for by the parish council using CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funds. The Council has received mixed feedback from residents, with the majority opposing the boulders. The Councillor offered his apologies for underestimating the impact and called for a full review involving officers and local councillors, and community groups. He urged the Lead Member, Councillor Chris Lloyd to lead the efforts to address safety, aesthetic and community concerns.

Councillor Chris Lloyd responded and proposed an amendment to the motion, emphasising collaboration between the parish council and district council to avoid impacting other ongoing district projects. The Councillor acknowledged community frustration and suggested a pragmatic approach that balances addressing the concerns with resource management. The amendment aims to keep costs lower for the district, involve councillors more directly in community engagement, and delay officer involvement until a clearer agreement is reached. Due to upcoming personal commitments, Councillor Lloyd will be unavailable for meetings until November and asked other councillors to engage with residents and the parish council.

The Associate Director for Environment read out the advice from the Head of Planning Policy & Conservation explaining that the Croxley Green Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Three Rivers Development Plan and is relevant only to the assessment of planning applications. Similarly, the conservation area appraisal is considered a material factor in planning applications. However, the placement of boulders on The Green was not considered to constitute development and therefore to not require planning permission. Consequently, neither the neighbourhood plan nor the conservation area appraisal applies to the act of placing boulders on The Green.

Councillor Chris Mitchell emphasised the Council’s ownership and responsibility for The Green, opposing the amendment to the motion that appear to shift accountability to the parish council. Councillor Chris Lloyd acknowledged the concerns but stressed the importance of timely action to avoid delays, proposing collaboration between Lead Members, parish council, district councillors and residents to explore viable alternatives that preserve The Green’s conservation characters.

Councillor Chris Mitchell proposed the following amendment to the wording of the motion:

Proposer: Cllr Chris Mitchell

Seconder: Cllr Chris Lloyd

This Committee notes:

1. The widespread concern among Croxley Green residents about the installation of boulders on The Green funded by Croxley Green Parish Council through the CIL and installed by Three Rivers District Council

2. That The Green is a Conservation Area and valued community asset, owned and managed by Three Rivers District Council.

3. That questions have been raised about the safety, heritage, environmental, and amenity impacts of the boulders, as well as the lack of public consultation.

 4. That TRDC officers have advised that a full review of the matter would constitute new work outside their current programme.

 This Committee resolves to recommend:

1. That a site visit be arranged with ward councillors, Croxley Green Parish Council, Croxley Green Residents Association, and the Copthorne Residents Society.

2. That the Lead Member for Climate Change as co-Chair of the Climate Change and Leisure Committee write to the Parish Council to request that they work with Three Rivers Councillors to review the current arrangement and any viable alternative solutions, consistent with The Green’s conservation character.

 3. That the relevant Lead Members for Leisure and General Public Services (Cllrs Lloyd and Nelmes) lead and work with the Parish Council, to oversee this process to ensure accountability.

4. That the findings of the review and options appraisal be brought back to the Climate Change and Leisure Committee for scrutiny and decision.

The Chair confirmed that officers will prepare a report presenting options without recommendations, leaving the decision-making to the councillors.

Councillor Chris Mitchell moved the amended motion, seconded by Councillor Chris Lloyd.

On being put to the Committee, the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair, the voting being by general assent.