®Planning appeal decision
Ashtree Court, Granville Road, ST. ALBANS, Hertfordshire, AL1 5UE
upwards extension of Block A – E Ashtree Court, St Albans to provide 14 flats
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Law T
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposal would preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the St Albans Conservation Area
- The effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of nearby occupiers
- Whether the proposed development makes adequate provision for facilities through developer contributions
What decided it
The harm to the character and appearance of the St Albans Conservation Area caused by the scale and massing of the proposed extension was not outweighed by the public benefits, and this harm disengaged the tilted balance and provided a clear reason for refusal.
The significant public benefits of 14 dwellings and infrastructure contributions were outweighed by the less than substantial but material harm to the conservation area, to which great weight must be given under the Framework and the Act.
Framework references: 199, 208, 205, 135
Plan policies cited: Policy 69, Policy 70, Policy 72, Policy 85
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.