The Hoddesdon Society
Charity No 234800
Council voted in June 2025 Planning Committee meeting to reject the application; Applicant has now submitted an appeal to the Secretary of State
This relates to the hardstanding site across from Rye House station, previously known as the "Turnford Hard Standing". It was previously the site of a mobile aggregates plant.
An application was made for the use of this site as an end of life scrapyard for vehicles - an entirely inappropriate use for a site between the River Lea and the New River, in sight of Rye House Station, the Rye House pub and the Rye House Gatehouse, and in close proximity to RSPB Rye Meads and the SSSI. This would have a negative impact on hundreds of residents within earshot, and anyone walking along the towpath or the New River, plus those boats.
Following significant local opposition, including from The Hoddesdon Society, who spoke in opposition at the June planning meeting, the Council voted to reject this application. There was also considerable effort from the Rye Park councillors on behalf of their constituents.
The applicant has now appealed to the Secretary of State. This will be dealt with by means of written representations (and not an inquiry/hearing).
The inspector has been provided with all respresentations previously made to Broxbourne Council but anyone can comment further or modify their previous representation. Further representations can be made online at https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk. We would encourage everyone to write again to the planning inspector to show the depth of local feeling on this application.
Representations must be received by 26 September and quote the appeal reference, which is: APP/W1905/W/25/3370662.
Key documents / links:
The appellants appeal documents can be found on the main planning page (where you can also see the history of the application and see all submissions made to Broxbourne Council. The Broxbourne planning reference (which is a different reference to the one for submissions to the inspector) is 07/23/0798/F - search by reference here.
A copy of the appeal statement can be found here: Appellant's Written Representation
We will upload our response to this page once produced.
In the meantime, see our previous response here: The Hoddesdon Society's response dated 13 June 2025
15 September 2025