Fairview Homes has won Oakland College planning appeal

Fairview Homes has won its fight to build houses on the Oakland College campus in St Albans, Hertfordshire.

The scheme involves converting five listed buildings to create 40 flats, plus a further 289 apartments in adjacent pavilions.

An appeal court upheld the plans, which had been opposed by local groups worried that the scheme would destroy a stretch of greenbelt land separating St Albans from Hatfield.

The appeal decision concluded: "The proposals would enhance the setting of the listed buildings and preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area".