Planning appeal decision
167 Leavesden Road, Watford, WD24 5EP
Planning appeal 3307037 at 167 Leavesden Road, Watford, WD24 5EP (Watford Borough Council) was dismissed on 24 April 2023 by Inspector Lo S, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development upon the living conditions of future occupiers of the proposed upper floor flat, having particular regard to the availability of private outdoor space.
the conversion of existing dwelling in to two self contained flats
- Authority
- Watford Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Lo S
- Postcode
- WD24 5EP
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development upon the living conditions of future occupiers of the proposed upper floor flat, having particular regard to the availability of private outdoor space
- Whether or not satisfactory arrangements for the storage and collection of waste have been demonstrated
- The effect upon on-street parking in the area
What decided it
The unacceptable living conditions for future occupiers of the upper floor flat due to the absence of any private outdoor amenity space, combined with the lack of a secured mechanism to control parking permit entitlements, outweighed the housing supply benefits in the planning balance.
The moderate benefits of providing one additional housing unit and supporting the local economy were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the harm to living conditions of future occupiers and the uncontrolled effect on on-street parking, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy HO3.11Policy QD6.4Policy ST11.5Policy ST11.4
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 130
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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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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