®Planning appeal decision
Verulam Angling Centre, 219 Hatfield Road, ST. ALBANS, AL1 4SY
described on the application form as “Redevelopment and extension of a ground floor retail unit to create a smaller retail unit and a new 1- bedroom dwelling with a separate access
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Fallon R
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the development on the character and amenity of the area, with particular regard to the storage of bins
- the living conditions of future occupiers of the proposed dwelling, with particular regard to defensible space, privacy and outlook
What decided it
The harm to the character and amenity of the area caused by the inadequate bin storage arrangement, which would result in bins being left on the public footway, outweighed the limited housing benefits in the planning balance.
Although the presumption in favour of sustainable development applied due to the Council's five-year housing land supply shortfall, the limited economic and social benefits of the small development were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the adverse impacts on character and amenity.
Framework references: 110, 112, 126, 130, 134, 219
Plan policies cited: Policy 11, Policy 70
Judgments cited: Bernard Wheatcroft Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment and Harborough District Council [1980]
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.