A developer has appealed against Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council's decision to refuse plans for 24 homes in Welwyn.

The council turned down Land Group Ltd's proposal to develop land off The Avenue in Welwyn back in May, but the developer now hopes to have this decision reversed.

WHBC cited six reasons when rejecting the initial application, including the land's designation as "Metropolitan Green Belt, which would constitute inappropriate development".

"No very special circumstances appear to exist which outweigh the potential harm of the development to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, and the other harm identified," they added.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: 45 per cent of the development would be affordable homes.45 per cent of the development would be affordable homes. (Image: Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council)

Concerns were also raised about poor access to the site, a lack of drainage plans, and failure to satisfy the Local Plan.

"The proposed number and layout of dwellings fails to improve the character and quality of the area and the way it functions because they would neither conserve, maintain, enhance nor strengthen the character of the wider surrounding area," the statement added.

In their appeal the Land Group Ltd highlighted the need for affordable homes in the borough, with plans proposing 45 per cent on the development be affordable.

READ MORE: Plans for new Welwyn Garden City homes next to historic pub

"There is a need for housing in the borough," the statement reads.

"Of significance is the fact that the need for affordable housing is acute – a need for 818 dwellings per year.

"Delivery of affordable homes has been woeful – an average of 53p/a over the last five years.

"Future supply of affordable housing is likely to be constrained due to the failure of the emerging Local Plan to plan to meet the full objectively assessed housing need and to allocate sufficient housing sites above the size threshold whereby an element of affordable housing can be negotiated.

"Indeed, the council believes that the percentage of affordable housing delivered over the plan period, as a proportion of all housing delivered will be 20 per cent. 

"Given that in the first five years of the plan period only 13 per cent of total delivery has been affordable, and this estimate looks to be a tall order."