Planning appeal decision
Garages Rear of 34 to 40 College Road , St Albans, AL1 5ND
Planning appeal 3286091 at Garages Rear of 34 to 40 College Road , St Albans, AL1 5ND (St Albans City Council) was dismissed on 31 May 2022 by Inspector Castle S, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
demolition of garage court and construction of three apartments with associated parking and landscaping
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Castle S
- Postcode
- AL1 5ND
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
- the living conditions of surrounding occupiers with particular regard to privacy, outlook, daylight and sunlight
What decided it
The identified harm to character and appearance, and to the living conditions of surrounding occupiers, would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the limited housing benefits when assessed against Framework policies taken as a whole.
The benefits of housing delivery and use of previously developed land were outweighed by significant harm to character and appearance and to living conditions of neighbours, assessed under the tilted balance triggered by lack of five-year housing land supply.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 69Policy 70
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


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- Invalid17 September 2026600824718 Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QS
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- Notice upheld15 September 20263311308Land at Former Butterfly World, Miriam Lane, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 3NY
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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