Cala Homes to build 73 homes in Elstree
Nearly half of the new properties will be designated as affordable housing.
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From the archive. This story was written up on 29 July 2026 from reporting first published on 23 June 2026, which is the date shown above. We took up the back catalogue of the local titles we read when this site launched, so the events are older than the page.
Cala Homes has been granted permission to build 73 new homes on land situated north of Barnet Lane in Elstree. The development will include a significant proportion of affordable housing, with 33 of the 73 properties designated for this purpose, equating to 45 per cent of the total build. Hertsmere Borough Council approved the project through a Reserved Matters application.
Development Details and Timeline
Construction on the new development is scheduled to commence on site this summer. The planned homes will comprise a mix of one and two-bedroom affordable apartments, alongside two, three, and four-bedroom affordable houses. The private sale properties will range from two to five bedrooms, with four homes offered as custom-build options. Each residence will be equipped with electric vehicle charging points and air source heat pumps.
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Biodiversity and Community Contributions
The project is set to deliver a 20 per cent net gain in biodiversity, which is double the 10 per cent requirement mandated by national legislation. This ecological enhancement will be achieved through measures such as new planting, the creation of wildlife habitats, and the implementation of green infrastructure. Cala Homes stated that the development will also involve Section 106 contributions and a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payment, intended to support local infrastructure and services.
Simon Hoskin, head of planning at Cala Homes (North Home Counties), indicated that the scheme would assist the council in meeting its housing targets. He commented that the development provides much-needed housing, incorporates a commitment to sustainability and local ecology, and improves biodiversity. Mr Hoskin added that it supports the council's annual housing need target and offers opportunities for local residents to purchase homes, including affordable options.
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Questions this report answers
+How many affordable homes will be built?
The development will include 33 affordable homes out of 73 total properties, which is 45% of the build. This meets a significant portion of the local need for lower-cost housing options in the area.
+When will construction start on the new homes?
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on the site north of Barnet Lane in Elstree. The timeline follows the approval of the Reserved Matters application by Hertsmere Borough Council.
+What environmental benefits will the development provide?
The project will deliver a 20% net gain in biodiversity, doubling the national requirement of 10%. This will be achieved through new planting, wildlife habitats, and green infrastructure improvements across the site.
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